Zoom lens camera capable of trimming photographing with plural magnifications

ABSTRACT

A camera capable of trimming photographing has an electric-powered zoom lens, an operating device for zooming the electric-powered zoom lens, a trimming photographing device for obtaining a pseudo zoomed-up photography by partially trimming a photographed picture at a trimming magnification β which can be previously set, and a control device which sets the trimming magnification β of the trimming photographing device to a maximum trimming magnification βmax if the operating device is moved to the zoom-up side when the electric-powered zoom lens is at the position of a maximum focal length FT, which zooms down the electric-powered zoom lens while maintaining the maximum trimming magnification βmax if the operating device is thereafter operated to the zoom-down side, and which changes the trimming magnification β of the trimming photographing device from the maximum trimming magnification βmax to 1 if the operating device is further operated to the zoom-down side when the electric-powered zoom lens is at the position of a minimum focal length FW.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 08/395,186 now abandonedfiled Feb. 27, 1995, which is a continuation of application Ser. No.08/319,771 now abandoned filed Oct. 7, 1994 (abandoned), which is acontinuation of application Ser. No. 08/169,541 now abandoned filed Dec.20, 1993 (abandoned), which is a continuation of application Ser. No.07/868,039 now abandoned filed Apr. 13, 1992 (abandoned).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a camera having a zoom lens and capable oftrimming photographing.

2. Related Background Art

A camera capable of trimming photographing is known which sets atrimming magnification at the time of photographing. The photographedpicture is trimmed at its top, bottom, left and right sides inaccordance with the set trimming magnification at the time of printing.A photograph can thereby be obtained which is equivalent to a photographtaken by zoom-up photographing at a magnification greater than themagnification determined by the maximum focal length of the zoom lens.(For example, a camera of this type is disclosed in Japanese PatentLaid-Open Application No. 61-285432).

FIG. 1 shows the relationship between a focal length F ranging from 35to 80 mm of a zoom lens capable of trimming photographing, a trimmingmagnification β and a pseudo focal length GF.

When a zooming switch for moving the zoom lens is operated to a zoom-upside, the zooming lens is moved from a minimum focal length FW ((F=35mm) position (hereinafter referred to as "wide-angle end") to a maximumfocal length FT (F=80 mm) position (hereinafter referred to as"telephoto end"). When the trimming magnification β is 1, the pseudofocal length GF has the same value as the focal length of the zoom lensin the optical zooming range of the zoom lens (F=35 to 80 mm).

If the zoom switch is further operated to the zoom-up side when the zoomlens is at the telephoto end FT, the photography mode is changed from anordinary mode to a trimming photographing mode, so that the pseudo focallength GF is increased with the increase in the trimming magnificationβ. That is, as the trimming magnification β is successively increasedfrom 1 to 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5, the pseudo focal length GF is increasedfrom 80 to 120, 160, and 200. The trimming magnification β can be set ina range as determined by the maximum trimming rate of enlarging printingof the ordinary laboratory print size.

When a picture is taken in this trimming photographing mode, thetrimming magnification β determined at the time of photographing isrecorded on a film portion in the vicinity of the picture frame. At thetime of printing, the picture frame is trimmed at the top, bottom, leftand right sides in accordance with the trimming magnification β set atthe time of photographing and is enlarged to a predetermined size byadjusting the focal length of the printing lens.

In the case of a conventional camera capable of trimming photographing,since various magnifications are set in the variable range of thetrimming magnification according to different photographed subjects, itis necessary to frequently change the focal length of the printing lensduring printing according to the trimming magnifications set at the timeof photographing. The time required for printing is thereby increasedand the printing cost is correspondingly increased.

In the case of compact cameras having a simplified photographing lensconstruction, the zoom lens tends to have a greater F value on the longfocus side (hereinafter referred to as "telephoto side") in comparisonwith the short focus side (hereinafter referred to as "wide-angleside"). Therefore, if zoom-up photographing is performed at a telephotoside of the zoom lens, there is a possibility of automatic exposure (AE)control failure with respect to a low-luminance subject, and there is aproblem of a reduction in the linkage distance at the time of flashphotography by linkage to a strobe unit or an increase in the frequencyof use of the strobe unit and, hence, a reduction in the battery life.

To prevent these problems, trimming photographing on the wide-angle sideof the zoom lens may be performed to take a pseudo zoomed-up photograph,and such trimming photographing is more advantageous than taking azoomed-up photograph on the telephoto side of the zoom lens in somecases. By trimming photographing, however, the enlargement magnificationat the time of printing is increased so that the printed image isgrainy. It is therefore preferable to use the zoom lens on the telephotoside as widely as possible to limit the trimming rate.

In conventional cameras capable of trimming photographing, however, theordinary photographing range and the trimming photographing range arechanged at the telephoto end of the zoom lens, and trimmingphotographing cannot be selected according to photographing conditionsat the wide angle end.

At the time of pseudo zoom photographing, it is desirable to set anoptimum photographing magnification, i.e., an optimum focal lengthaccording to photographing conditions as in the case of ordinary zoomphotographing. There is therefore a need to continuously change thefocal length at the time of changeover from the optical zooming range tothe pseudo zooming range, and there is also a need to set a desiredpseudo focal length in the pseudo zooming range as in the opticalzooming range.

In conventional cameras capable of trimming photographing, however, ifthe pseudo focal length for pseudo zoom photographing is continuouslychanged, an arbitrary trimming magnification is set according tophotographing conditions each time a picture is taken and it isnecessary to frequently change the focal length of the printing lensduring printing according to trimming magnifications set at the time ofphotographing. The time required for printing is thereby increased andthe printing cost is correspondingly increased.

If as shown in FIG. 2 the zooming switch is operated to the zoom-downside while setting the trimming magnification β to, for example 2.5, thefocal length F and the pseudo focal length GF of the zoom lens arereduced, so that the pseudo focal length GF is 87.5 mm at the wide-angleend (F=35 mm) of the zoom lens. That is, in a pseudo zoom photographingmode of a trimming magnification of β=2.5, a pseudo focal length GF of87.5 to 200 mm can be obtained. Similarly, in a pseudo zoomphotographing mode of a trimming magnification of D=2.0, a pseudo focallength GF of 70 to 160 mm can be obtained and, in a pseudo zoomphotographing mode of a trimming magnification of β=1.5, a pseudo focallength GF of 52.5 to 120 mm can be obtained. That is, if a plurality ofvalues of trimming magnification β are set, the zooming range at onemagnification overlaps the zooming range at another magnification. Ifthe number of stepped values of trimming magnification β are increased,each overlapping range is extended. Accordingly, a pseudo focal lengthGF of, for example, 120 mm can be achieved by setting the focal length Fof the zoom lens to 80 mm at the telephoto end with respect to atrimming magnification β=1.5, and can also be achieved by setting thefocal length F of the zoom lens to 60 mm with respect to a trimmingmagnification β=2.0 or by setting the focal length F of the zoom lens to48 mm with respect to a trimming magnification β=2.5. That is, if aplurality of values of trimming magnification β are finely set withinthe range determined by the maximum trimming rate of enlarging printingof the ordinary laboratory print size, the same pseudo focal length GFcan be obtained with respect to a plurality of trimming magnifications.

When a picture is taken in such a pseudo zoom photographing mode, thetrimming magnification β at the time of photographing is recorded on afilm portion in the vicinity of the picture frame. At the time ofprinting, the picture frame is trimmed at the top, bottom, left andright sides in accordance with the trimming magnification β set at thetime of photographing and is enlarged to a predetermined size byadjusting the focal length of the printing lens. If the trimmingmagnification β is increased, the enlargement magnification is alsoincreased so that the resulting print is markedly grainy.

In conventional cameras capable of trimming photographing, however, whena desired focal length is set, the selection of one of a plurality ofpossible trimming magnifications with which the focal length can be setis not specified. In such an event, therefore, there is a possibility ofthe desired focal length being set with a greater trimming magnificationeven though the desired focal length can be set with a smaller trimmingmagnification. In this case, the enlargement magnification at the timeof printing is increased so that the resulting print is poor in quality.

Various cameras having zoom lenses have been proposed, including thosehaving a zooming type finder (hereinafter referred to as "zoom finder")whose magnification is changed according to the focal length of thephotographing lens by moving a finder zooming lens along the opticalaxis of the zooming lens by interlocking with zooming (a change in thephotographing magnification) of the photographing lens (zoom lens).

A type of camera capable of trimming photographing is also known inwhich information (trimming information) that only a predeterminedtrimmed region in an exposed region defined on a film by a shutterrelease is to be printed is recorded, for example, on a marginal portionof the film (as in the camera disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-OpenApplication No. 61-285432. The recorded trimming information is read inthe laboratory process, and only the trimmed region is enlarged andprinted in accordance with this information. Since the trimmed region issmaller than the printed area of the ordinary photography, thephotographing magnification is changed at the time of changeover betweena trimming photographing mode and an ordinary photographing mode, andthere is a need to change the finder magnification by interlocking withthe mode changeover.

The camera disclosed in Japanese Patent laid-Open Application No.61-285432 has a photographing zoom lens and a zoom finder zoomed with azoom lens barrel. The zoom lens and the zoom finder are interlocked.More specifically, when the zoom lens barrel is further moved to thelong-focus side from the telephoto end of the photographing zoom lens,an ordinary photographing mode is automatically changed into a trimmingphotographing mode and the zoom finder is further zoomed up while thephotographing zoom lens is stopped at the same position. When the zoomlens barrel is further moved to the short-focus side from the wide-angleend, the ordinary photographing mode is automatically changed intoanother trimming photographing mode while the zoom lens and the zoomfinder are maintained in the same position. In this manner, themagnification of the zoom finder is changed by interlocking withchangeover between the trimming photographing modes and the ordinaryphotographing mode.

The conventional cameras capable of trimming photographing are designedto zoom a zoom finder through the whole range of zooming in ordinary andtrimming photographing .modes, and therefore require a zoom finderhaving a high zooming ratio and, hence, a large zoom finder unit.

To limit the size of the finder unit, a method may be adopted in which aconverter lens is inserted in a trimming photographing mode or ordinaryphotographing mode or two converter lenses are interchanged at the timeof mode changeover, so that the finder magnification is changedseparately of zooming of the zoom finder. However, it is disadvantageousin terms of economy to separately provide a drive source for zooming thezoom finder and another drive source for inserting (interchanging) theconverter lens, and there is also a possibility of an increase in theoverall size of the finder unit including the zoom finder and theconverter lens.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a camera which iscapable of trimming photographing, which has only necessary steppedvalues of trimming magnification, and in which the focal length of thezoom lens can be changed continuously from the minimum focal length tothe maximum focal length.

In one aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3, the presentinvention is applied to a camera capable of trimming photographing andhaving an electric-powered zoom lens 1, and operation devices 2 and 3. Apicture taken with this camera is partially trimmed at a trimmingmagnification β, which can be previously set, to obtain a pseudozoomed-up photography.

A control device 4 is provided which sets the trimming magnification βto a maximum trimming magnification βmax if the operation device 2 ismoved to the zoom-up side when the electric-powered zoom lens 1 is atthe position of a maximum focal length FT, which zooms down theelectric-powered zoom lens 1 while maintaining the maximum trimmingmagnification βmax, if the operation device 3 is thereafter operated tothe zoom-down side, and which changes the trimming magnification β fromthe maximum trimming magnification βmax to 1, if the operation device 3is further operated to the zoom-down side when the electric-powered zoomlens 1 is at the position of a minimum focal length FW. The above objectis achieved by this arrangement.

In another aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4, acontrol device is provided which sets the trimming magnification β in astepping manner in the range from the maximum focal length FT=70 mm to apseudo focal length which is determined as a product of the minimumfocal length FW=35 mm and the maximum trimming magnification βmax=2.5,i.e., FW×βmax=35×2.5=87.5, when the maximum trimming magnificationβmax=2.5 is greater than the zoom ratio FT/FW=2 of the electric-poweredzoom lens.

The control device 4 of the camera capable of trimming photographing inaccordance with the present invention sets the trimming magnification βto the maximum trimming magnification βmax if the operation device 2 ismoved to the zoom-up side when the electric-powered zoom lens 1 is atthe position of the maximum focal length FT. If the operation device 3is thereafter operated to the zoom-down side, the control device 4 zoomsdown the electric-powered zoom lens 1 while maintaining the maximumtrimming magnification βmax. If the operation device 3 is furtheroperated to the zoom-down side when the electric-powered zoom lens 1 isat the position of the minimum focal length FW, the control device 4changes the trimming magnification β from the maximum trimmingmagnification βmax to 1.

The control device of the camera capable of trimming photographing inaccordance with the present invention sets the trimming magnification βin a stepping manner in the range from the maximum focal length FT=70 mmto a pseudo focal length determined as a product of the minimum focallength FW=35 mm and the maximum trimming magnification βmax=2.5, i.e.,FW×βmax=35×2.5=87.5, when the maximum trimming magnification βmax=2.5 isgreater than the zoom ratio FT/FW=2 of the electric-powered zoom lens.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a camera which iscapable of trimming photographing, and which can select pseudo zoomphotographing on the wide-angle side of the zoom lens or ordinary zoomphotographing on the telephoto side of the zoom lens according tophotographing conditions.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5 withrespect to the relationship between a real focal length F and a pseudofocal length GF, the present invention is applied to a camera capable oftrimming photographing and having a zoom lens, an ordinary photographingmode for photographing with a focal length F=35 to 70 mm (A to C) in anoptical zooming range of the zoom lens, and a pseudo zoom photographingmode for a process in which a focal length GF=59.5 to 119 mm (D to F) ina pseudo zooming range obtained by multiplying the focal length F=35 to70 mm in the optical zooming range by a trimming magnification β is setand a photographed picture is partially trimmed to obtain a pseudozoomed-up photography. The trimming magnification β is set so that thata part of the range of focal length F=59.5 to 70 mm (B to C) in theoptical zooming range and a part of the range of focal length GF=59.5 to70 mm (D to E) in the pseudo zooming range coincide with each other. Theabove object is achieved by this arrangement.

Since a part of the range of focal length F=59.5 to 70 mm (B to C) inthe optical zooming range a part of the range of focal length GF=59.5 to70 mm (D to E) in the pseudo zooming range coincide with each other,either of the ordinary zoom photographing mode or the pseudo zoomphotographing mode can be selected according to photographingconditions.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a camera whichis capable of trimming photographing and in which the pseudo focallength in the pseudo zooming range can be smoothly changed subsequent tothe focal length in the optical zooming range with a necessary minimumnumber of trimming magnifications.

In a further aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 6, thepresent invention is applied to a camera capable of trimmingphotographing and having a zoom lens 1 and changing devices 5 and 6 forchanging an ordinary zoom photographing mode for photographing with afocal length in an optical zooming range of the zoom lens 1 and a pseudozoom photographing mode for performing pseudo zoom photographing with afocal length in a pseudo zooming range obtained by multiplying the focallength in the optical zooming range by a trimming magnification.

A control device 7 is provided which, if the ordinary photographing modeis changed to the pseudo zoom photographing mode by the changing device5, zooms down the zoom lens 1 to a position such that the focal lengthin the optical zooming range before the change and the pseudo focallength in the pseudo zooming range after the change are approximatelyequal to each other. The above object is achieved by this arrangement.

In accordance with the present invention, this camera also includes acontrol device 7A which, if the pseudo zoom photographing mode ischanged to the ordinary photographing mode by the changing device 6,zooms up the zoom lens 1 to a position such that the pseudo focal lengthin the pseudo zooming range before the change and the focal length inthe optical zooming range after the change are approximately equal toeach other.

This camera further includes a control device 7B which, when theordinary zoom photographing mode is changed to the pseudo photographingmode, zooms down the zoom lens 1 to a position such that the focallength of the zoom lens 1 after the change is 1/1.4 to 1/2 of themaximum focal length of the zoom lens 1.

In this camera, if the ordinary photographing mode is changed to thepseudo zoom photographing mode by the changing device 5, the controldevice 7 zooms down the zoom lens 1 to a position such that the focallength in the optical zooming range before the change and the pseudofocal length in the pseudo zooming range after the change areapproximately equal to each other.

In this camera, if the pseudo zoom photographing mode is changed to theordinary photographing mode by the changing device 6, the control device7A zooms up the zoom lens 1 to a position such that the pseudo focallength in the pseudo zooming range before the change and the focallength in the optical zooming range after the change are approximatelyequal to each other.

In this camera, when the ordinary zoom photographing mode is changed tothe pseudo photographing mode, the control device 7B zooms down the zoomlens 1 to a position such that the focal length of the zoom lens 1 afterthe change is 1/1.4 to 1/2 of the maximum focal length of the zoom lens1.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a camera whichis capable of trimming photographing and which can select, when adesired focal length is set, the smallest magnification from a pluralityof trimming magnifications with which the desired focal length can beset.

In still a further aspect of the present invention as shown in FIG. 7,the present invention is applied to a camera which is capable oftrimming photographing, which has a zoom lens and a plurality oftrimming magnifications, and which performs pseudo zoom-up photographingwith a focal length in a pseudo zooming range obtained by multiplying afocal length in an optical zooming range of the zoom lens by one of thetrimming magnifications. A magnification selection device, i.e., acontrol circuit 8 is provided which selects, if the plurality ofmagnifications include two or more trimming magnifications with each ofwhich a desired focal length can be set, the smallest of the trimmingmagnifications with which the desired focal length can be set, therebyachieving the above object.

If the plurality of magnifications include two or more trimmingmagnifications with each of which a desired focal length can be set, themagnification selection device 8 selects the smallest of the trimmingmagnifications with which the desired focal length can be set. Thedesired focal length can thereby be set with the minimum trimmingmagnification. It is thereby possible to obtain a print having improvedquality.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a camera whichis capable of trimming photographing, which is of a type such that aconverter lens is inserted into the optical path of a zoom finder at thetime of trimming photographing or ordinary photographing, and in whichzooming of the zoom lens and insertion/retreat of the converter lens canbe effected by a single drive source.

In still a further aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 8and 9, the present invention is applied to a camera which is capable oftrimming photographing, which has an ordinary photographing mode forprinting the whole of a photographed picture 9 and a trimmingphotographing mode for obtaining a pseudo zoomed-up photograph or apanoramic photograph by partially trimming the photographed picture 9,and which has a photographing zoom lens, a drive device for zooming thephotographing zoom lens with the rotation of a zoom ring 10, and a zoomfinder 11 which is zoomed by being interlocked with this drive device tochange a finder magnification.

In accordance with the present invention, the zoom ring 10 is arrangedto be rotatable in each of an ordinary photographing driving range A inwhich the zooming ring is driven and rotated to drive the drive meanswhen the ordinary photographing mode is selected and ranges C and E outof the ordinary photographing driving range A. Also, in accordance withthe present invention, the camera is provided with converter lenses C1and C2 each inserted in an optical path of the zoom finder 11 to changethe finder magnification separately of zooming of the zoom finder 11,and an insertion/retreat device for inserting each of the conversionlenses C1 and C2 in the optical path of, the zoom finder 11 and forretreating the conversion lens from the optical path of the zoom finder11 by being interlocked with the rotation of the zoom ring 10 into orfrom the range C or E out of the ordinary photographing range, therebyachieving the above object.

The insertion/retreat device inserts the converter lens C1 or C2 in theoptical path of the zoom finder 11 or retreats the lens from the opticalpath by being interlocked with the rotation of the zoom ring 10 into orfrom the range C or E out of the ordinary photographing range. By thismovement of the converter lens C1 or C2 into or from the optical path ofthe zoom finder 11, the finder magnification is changed to set amagnification in accordance with the ordinary photographing mode or thetrimming photographing mode. Thereafter, the finder magnification can bechanged in correspondence with zooming of the photographing zoom lens byzooming the zoom finder 11.

Also, the arrangement of this camera may alternatively such that thezoom ring 10 is arranged to be rotatable in each of an ordinaryphotographing driving range A in which the zooming ring is driven androtated to drive the drive means when the ordinary photographing mode isselected and ranges C and E out of the ordinary photographing drivingrange A, and the camera has a first converter lens C1 inserted in theoptical path of the zoom finder 11 in the ordinary photographing mode tochange the finder magnification separately of zooming of the zoom finder11, a second converter lens C2 inserted in the optical path of the zoomfinder 11 in the trimming photographing mode to change the findermagnification separately of zooming of the zoom finder 11, an insertiondevice for inserting one of the first and second conversion lenses C1and C2 in the optical path of the zoom finder 11 by being interlockedwith the rotation of the zoom ring into the range C or E out of theordinary photographing range, and a retreat device for retreating one ofthe first and second conversion lenses C1 and C2 from the optical pathof the zoom finder 11 when the other of the first and second conversionlenses C1 and C2 is inserted in the optical path of the zoom finder 11.The above object can also be achieved by this arrangement.

The insertion device inserts one of the converter lenses C1 and C2 inthe optical path of the zoom finder 11 by being interlocked with therotation of the zoom ring 10 into the range C or E out of the ordinarydriving range, and the retreat device retreats the other of theconverter lenses C1 and C2 from the optical path of the zoom finder 11by being interlocked with this movement. By this insertion of theconverter lens C1 or C2 into the optical path of the finder 11, thefinder magnification is changed to set a magnification in accordancewith the ordinary photographing mode or the trimming photographing mode.Thereafter, the finder magnification can be changed in correspondencewith zooming of the photographing zoom lens by zooming the zoom finder11.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of the relationship between a focal length F and apseudo focal length GF of a zoom lens of a conventional camera capableof trimming photographing;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example of zooming of a conventional cameracapable of trimming photographing;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a camera in one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of the relationship between the real focal length Fand the pseudo focal length GF of a camera having a maximum trimmingmagnification βmax=2.5 and capable of trimming photographing in anotheraspect of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of the real focal length F and the pseudo focallength GF of a camera capable of trimming photographing in yet anotheraspect of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a camera in a further aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the construction of in still a furtheraspect of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the construction of a finder and a converterlens of a camera capable of trimming photographing in still a furtheraspect of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a diagram of an exposed region and a trimmed region of a film;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the construction of a first embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a camera capable of trimmingphotographing in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a diagram of the relationship between the real focal lengthand the pseudo focal length of the camera capable of trimmingphotographing shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of an example of a zoom-up process program;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of an example of a zoom-down process program;

FIGS. 15 and 16 are flowcharts of another example of the zoom-up processprogram;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a zoom-up hesitation process subroutine;

FIGS. 18 and 19 are flowcharts of another example of the zoom-downprocess;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a zoom-down hesitation process subroutine;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of a zooming process program;

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of a timer process subroutine;

FIGS. 23 and 24 are flowcharts of an example of a zoom-up processprogram;

FIGS. 25 and 26 are flowcharts of an example of a zoom-down processprogram;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a camera capable of trimmingphotographing in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 28 is a block diagram of the construction of the fifth embodiment;

FIG. 29 is a diagram of an example of zooming of the zoom lens;

FIGS. 30 and 31 are flowcharts of a zoom-up process program of amicrocomputer;

FIG. 32 is a diagram of another example of zooming of the zoom lens;

FIG. 33 is a diagram of another example of zooming of the zoom lens;

FIG. 34 is a diagram of a zoom lens, a zoom finder and a strobe of acamera in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 35 is a diagram of an example of zooming of the photographing zoomlens and the zoom finder;

FIGS. 36 and 37 are flowcharts of an example of a zoom-up processprogram;

FIGS. 38 and 39 are flowcharts of an example of a zoom-down processprogram;

FIG. 40 is a block diagram of the circuit construction of a seventhembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 41 is a perspective view of the construction of the finder of theseventh embodiment;

FIG. 42 is a perspective view of the construction of the finder andconverter lenses of the seventh embodiment;

FIG. 43 is a front view showing the operation of the finder and theconverter lenses;

FIG. 44 is a perspective view showing the operation of the finder andthe converter lenses; and

FIG. 45 is a diagram of the relationship between the focal length andthe combined focal length of the photographing zoom lens.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 10 is a block diagram which illustrates the structure of a firstembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 10, reference numeral 12 represents a zoom lens motordriving circuit for moving a zoom lens by rotating a zoom lens motor 13.Reference numeral 14 represents a zoom lens mechanism part for zoomingup/down the zoom lens, and 15 represents a zoom lens position detectingcircuit which detects the position of the zoom lens so as to output asignal denoting focal length F. Reference numeral 16 represents a finderzoom lens motor driving circuit for driving a finder zoom lens motor 17so as to move a finder zoom lens to be described later. Referencenumeral 18 represents a finder zoom lens mechanism part driven by thefinder zoom lens motor 17 so as to zoom up/down the finder zoom lens.Reference numeral 19 represents a finder zoom lens position detectingcircuit which detects the position of the finder zoom lens so as tooutput a signal denoting the focal length. Description will be madehereinafter in such a manner that the focal length of this finder zoomlens is called "pseud focal length GF". Symbol ZUS represents a switchfor zooming up the zoom lens and ZDS represents a switch for zoomingdown the zoom lens. Reference numeral 4 represents a control circuitcomposed of a microcomputer and its peripheral elements, the controlcircuit 4 performing various calculation operations and operationsequence process of the camera. The control circuit 4 further executes acontrol program to be described later to cause the zoom lens and thefinder zoom lens to perform zooming.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view which illustrates a camera capable ofperforming trimming photographing.

A zoom lens 1 is fastened to a camera body 20. The zoom lens 1 is drivenby a zoom lens motor 13 by means of a zoom lens mechanism part 14composed of a gear 21 fastened to the rotational shaft of the zoom lensmotor 13, a synchronizing gear 22 and a lens-barrel ring 24. As aresult, the zoom lens 1 is zoomed between the shortest focal length FW(wide end) and the longest focal length FT (telephoto end). According tothis embodiment, a zoom lens 1 will be described which has a focallength F=35 to 70. In order to distinguish the focal length F of thezoom lens 1 from that of a finder zoom lens to be described later, it iscalled a "real focal length F".

The lens-barrel ring 24 has an encoder pattern 25 formed on the outersurface thereof. A brush 26 slides on the encoder pattern 25, the brush26 detecting an electric signal denoting the position of the zoom lens 1moved due to the rotation of the lens-barrel ring 24 so as to output aposition signal to the zoom lens position detection circuit 15.

The finder zoom lenses 27 and 28 are respectively held by lens holdingmembers 29 and 30. The lens holding members 29 and 30 are held by ashaft 31 slidably in the longitudinal direction, and are alsorespectively engaged with grooves 33 and 34 of a cam 32. The cam 32 isdriven by the finder zoom lens motor 17 by means of a gear 35 fastenedto the rotational shaft of the finder zoom lens motor 17, asynchronizing gear 36 and a gear part 37 fastened to the reverse side ofthe cam 32. When the cam 32 is rotated, the lens holding members 29 and30 slide on the shaft 31 in the forward/reverse direction. As a result,the finder zoom lenses 27 and 28 are zoomed from the shortest focallength 35 mm to the longest focal length 119 mm. Description will bemade hereinafter that each of the focal length of the finder zoom lenses27 and 28 is called "pseud focal length GF" in order to be distinguishedfrom the aforesaid real focal length F of the zoom lens.

The cam 32 has an encoder pattern 38 formed on the outer surfacethereof. A brush 39 slides on the encoder pattern 38. The brush 39detects an electric signal denoting the position of each of the zoomlenses 27 and 28 moved due to the rotation of the cam 32 so as to outputa position signal to the finder zoom lens position detection circuit 19.

Trimming photographing information about each photographed frame of afilm 40 is optically or magnetically imprinted to the film by a knowninformation imprinter 41. In accordance with the trimming information,the focal length of the expansion lens is adjusted at the time of atrimming operation to be performed in a laboratory. Furthermore, thecamera body 20 has, on its upper surface thereof, a zoom-up button 2 forzooming up the zoom lens 1 and a zoom-down button 3 for zooming down thesame. When each of the button 2 or the 3 is depressed, the aforesaidcorresponding switch ZUS or ZDS is switched on.

FIG. 12 illustrates the relationship between the real focal length Fwith which trimming photographing can be performed and the pseud focallength GF. The maximum trimming magnification βmax of the cameraaccording to this embodiment is assumed to be 1.7.

When the trimming magnification β is 1, that is when the normalphotographing operation is performed, both of the real focal length Fand the pseud focal length GF are changed in a range from 35 to 70 mm insynchronization with zooming of the zoom lens 1. When the trimmingphotographing operation is performed at the maximum trimmingmagnification βmax=1.7, the pseud focal length GF is changed in a rangefrom 59.5 to 119 mm in synchronization with the zooming operationperformed in a range of the real focal length F from 35 to 70 mm. Thelongest pseud focal length GF=119 mm of the finder zoom lenses 27 and 28corresponds to the focal length in a case where the trimmingphotographing operation is performed with the maximum trimmingmagnification βmax=1.7 at the telephoto end FT=70 mm of the zoom lens11, while the shortest pseud focal length GF=59.5 mm corresponds to thefocal length in a case where the trimming photographing operation isperformed with the maximum trimming magnification βmax=1.7 at the widthend FW=35 mm of the zoom lens 1.

According to this embodiment, the trimming photographing operation isperformed with the trimming magnification β=1.7, that is, the maximummagnification βmax. When the zoom up button 2 or the zoom down button 3is operated, the real focal length F of the zoom lens 1, the trimmingmagnification β and the pseud focal length GF are changed as follows:assumptions are made here that the zoom lens 1 is located at the windend FW and the trimming magnification β is 1. When the zoom up button 2is operated, the zoom lens 1 is zoomed up from point A shown in FIG. 12and both of the real focal length F and the pseud focal length GF areincreased to arrive at point B. As a result, zooming up of the zoom lens1 is stopped. When the zoom up button 2 is further operated at the pointB, the trimming magnification β is set to the maximum magnification 1.7and zooming arrives at point C at which the pseud focal length GF is 119mm. When the zoom down button 3 is then operated at point C, the zoomlens 1 is zoomed down while maintaining the maximum trimmingmagnification βmax. As a result, both of the real focal length F and thepseud focal length GF are decreased. As a result, zooming arrives atpoint D and zooming down of the zoom lens 1 is stopped. When the zoomdown button 3 is further operated at point D, the trimming magnificationβ is again set to 1 and the zoom lens 1 returns to point. A. That is,the normal photographing operation is performed at any of the real focallength F on a straight line passing from the point A to the point D,while the trimming photographing operation with the maximum trimmingmagnification βmax=1.7 is performed at any of the pseudo focal length GFon a straight line passing from the point C to the point D.

FIG. 13 illustrates a program for the zoom up process to be performed bythe microcomputer of the control circuit 4. The microcomputer startsexecuting the program when the zoom up button 2 is operated and therebythe switch ZUS is switched on. Then, the zoom up operation will now bedescribed with reference to FIG. 13. Description will made in such amanner that zooming of the zoom lens 1 is called "OZ zooming" andzooming of the finder lenses 27 and 28 is called "EX zooming".

In step S1, whether or not the trimming magnification β is 1 isdiscriminated. If β is 1, that is the normal photographing mode, theflow proceeds to step S2. If it is negated, the flow proceeds to stepS10. In step S2, the zoom lens motor driving circuit 12 is controlled soas to start OZ zooming of the zoom lens 1. Furthermore, the finder zoomlens motor driving circuit 16 is controlled so as to start EZ zooming ofthe finder zoom lenses 27 and 28. In next step S3, whether or notzooming has arrived at the point B shown in FIG. 12, that is thetelephoto end FT, is discriminated according to the signal denoting thereal focal distance F of the zoom lens 1 supplied from the zoom lensposition detection circuit 15. If it has arrived at the telephoto endFT, the flow proceeds to step S4 in which the zoom lens motor drivingcircuit 12 is controlled so as to stop the OZ zooming-up operation ofthe zoom lens 1. At this time, the EZ zooming-up operation of the finderzoom lenses 27 and 28 is continued.

In step S5, the focal length of the finder zoom lenses 27 and 28 fromthe finder zoom lens position detection circuit 19, that is the pseudfocal length GF, is detected so as to discriminate whether or notzooming has arrived at point C at which the pseudo focal length is thelongest length (GF=119 mm). If it has arrived at the point C, the flowproceeds to step S6 in which EZ zoom-up of the finder zoom lenses 27 and28 is stopped and as well as the trimming magnification β is set to themaximum magnification βmax=1.7. In next step S7, whether or not the zoomup button 2 has been released by the switch ZUS is discriminated. If ithas been released, the execution of the program is completed.

If zooming has not arrived at the point B in step S3, the flow proceedto step S8 in which-whether or not the zoom up button 2 has beenreleased by the switch ZUS is discriminated. If it has been released,the flow proceeds to step S9. It it has not been released, the flowreturns to step S3. In step S9, the OZ and EZ zoom up operations of thezoom lens 1 and the finder zoom lenses 27 and 28 are stopped. Then, theexecution of the program is completed.

If a discrimination has been made in step S1 that the trimmingmagnification β is not 1, that is the trimming photographing mode hasbeen set, the flow proceeds to step S10 in which the OZ and EZ zoom upoperations of the zoom lens 1 and the finder zoom lenses 27 and 28 arestarted. In next step S11, whether or not zooming has arrived at thepoint C at which the pseud focal length is the longest distance. If ithas arrived the point C, the flow proceeds to step S12. If it has beennegated, the flow proceeds to step S13. In step S12, OZ and EX zoomingsof the zoom lens 1 and the finder zoom lenses 27 and 28 are stopped.Then, the flow proceeds to step S7. In step S13, whether or not the zoomup button 2 has been released by the switch ZUS is discriminated. If ithas been released, the flow proceeds to step S9 in which the OZ and EZzoom up operations of the zoom lens 1 and the finder zoom lenses 27 and28 are stopped. If it has not been released, the flow returns to stepS11.

FIG. 14 illustrates a program for the zoom down process to be executedby the microcomputer of the control circuit 4. The microcomputer startsexecuting the program when the zoom down button 3 is operated and theswitch ZDS is switched on. Referring to FIG. 14, the zoom down operationwill now be described.

In step S21, whether or not the trimming magnification β is 1 isdiscriminated. If β is 1, that is, if the normal photographing mode hasbeen selected, the flow proceeds to step S30. If it is negated, the flowproceeds to step S22. In step S22, the OZ and EZ zoom down operations ofof the zoom lens 1 and the finder zoom lenses 27 and 28 are started. Innext step S23, whether or not zooming has arrived at the point D isdiscriminated. If it has arrived at the point D, the flow proceeds tostep S24. If it has been negated, the flow proceeds to step S28. In stepS24, OZ zooming down of the zoom lens 1 is stopped. In next step S25,whether or not zooming has arrived at point A is discriminated. Ifzooming has arrived at point A, the flow proceeds to step S26, EZ zoomdown of the finder zoom lenses 27 and 28 is stopped and as well as thetrimming magnification β is set to 1. In next step S27, whether or notthe zoom down button 3 has been released by the switch ZDS isdiscriminated. If it has been released, the execution of the program iscompleted. If a discrimination has been made in step S23 that zoominghas not arrived at the point D, whether or not the zoom down button 3has been released by the switch ZDS is discriminated in step S28. If ithas been released, the flow proceeds to step S29. It is has beennegated, the flow returns to step S23. In step S29, the OZ and EZ zoomdown operations of the zoom lens 1 and the finder zoom lenses 27 and 28are stopped. Thus, the execution of the program is completed.

If a discrimination has been made in step S21 that the trimmingmagnification β is 1, that is the normal photographing mode, the OZ andEZ zoom down operations of the zoom lens 1 and the finder zoom lenses 27and 28 are started in step S30. In next step S31, whether or not zoominghas arrived at A is discriminated. If zooming has arrived at the pointA, the flow proceeds to step S32. If it has been negated, the flowproceeds to step S33. In step S32, the OZ and EZ zoom down operations ofthe zoom lens 1 and the finder zoom lenses 27 and 28 are stopped. If ithas been then discriminated in step S27 that the zoom down button 17 hasbeen released by the switch ZDS, the execution of the program iscompleted. In step S33, whether or not the zoom down button 17 has beenreleased by the switch ZDS is discriminated. If it has been released,the flow proceeds to step S29. If it has been negated, the flow returnsto step S31. In step S29, the OZ and EZ zoom down operations of the zoomlens 1 and the finder zoom lenses 27 and 28 are stopped. Then, theexecution of the program is completed.

Then, a second embodiment will now be described in which the maximumtrimming magnification βmax is larger than the zoom ratio FT/FW of thezoom lens. According to the second embodiment, if the maximum trimmingmagnification βmax is different, the camera constituted as shown inFIGS. 10 and 11 and capable of performing the trimming photographingoperation is used and its description is omitted here.

FIG. 4 illustrates the relationship between the real focal length F andthe pseud focal length GF of a camera according to the secondembodiment, having the maximum trimming magnification βmax=2.5 andcapable of performing the trimming photographing operation.

The camera capable of performing the trimming photographing operationhas the maximum trimming magnification βmax=2.5 which is larger than thetrimming ratio FT/FW=70/35=2. Similarly to the camera according to thefirst embodiment, both of the real focal length F and the pseud focallength GF are changed in a range from 35 to 70 mm (from point E to pointF) in synchronization with zooming of the zoom lens 1 in a case wherethe trimming magnification β=1, that is, the normal photographingoperation is performed. In a case of the trimming photograph with themaximum trimming magnification βmax=2.5, the pseud focal length GF ischanged in a range from 87.7 to 175 mm (from point J to point I) insynchronization with zooming of the zoom lens 1 performed in a range ofits real focal length F from 35 to 70 mm. However, if the maximumtrimming magnification βmax=2.5 is larger than the trimming ratioFT/FW=2.0 of the zoom lens 1, it is impossible to set the pseud focallength GF to a range from 70 to 87.5 mm. Therefore, trimmingphotographing, which corresponds to the aforesaid range, cannot beperformed. As a result, trimming photographing is performed whilesetting the trimming magnifications D to 1.12 (the point G) and 1.25(the point H) which are intermediate values with which trimmingphotographing can be performed. In this case, the maximum trimmingmagnification βmax is made to be smaller than the maximum trimming ratioin a case of the expansion and printing process of a normal size to beperformed in a laboratory.

FIGS. 15 and 16 are flow charts which illustrate a program for the zoomup process. The microcomputer of the control circuit 4 starts executingthe program when the switch ZDS is switched on. Then, the zoom upprocess according to the second embodiment will now be described withreference to the flow chart.

In step S41, whether or not the trimming magnification β is 2.5, that iswhether or not it is the maximum magnification βmax, is discriminated.If it is the maximum trimming magnification, the flow proceeds to stepS61 shown in FIG. 16. If it is negated, the flow proceeds to step S42.In step S42, whether or not the trimming magnification β is 1, that is,whether or not the photographing mode is the normal photographing mode,is discriminated. If it is the normal photographing mode, the flowproceeds to step S52. If it is negated, the flow proceeds to step S43.In step S43, whether or not the pseud focal length GF is present on thepoint H shown in FIG. 4 is discriminated. If it is present on the pointH, the flow proceeds to step S51. If it is negated, the flow proceeds tostep S44. In step S44, the EZ zoom up operation is started. Then, instep S45, whether or not zooming has arrived at the point H isdiscriminated. If zooming has arrived at the point H, the flow proceedsto step S46 in which the trimming magnification β is set to 1.25. Innext step S47, a zoom up hesitation process subroutine shown in FIG. 17is executed.

In step S71 shown in FIG. 17, the EZ zoom operation is stopped. Then, instep S72, a 0.5-second timer is started. The 0.5-second timer acts tomeasure the time in which the zoom up button 2 is operated continuouslyat a predetermined position. The time which is measured by the timer isnot limited to the aforesaid 0.5 seconds. In next step S73, whether ornot the switch ZUS has been switched off is discriminated. If it hasbeen switched off, the execution of the program is completed. If it hasbeen negated, the flow proceed to step S74. In step S74, whether or notthe time set by the 0.5-second timer has passed is discriminated. If ithas passed, the flow proceeds to step S75. If it has not passed, theflow returns to step S73. In step S75, the EZ zoom up operation is againstarted. Then, the flow returns to the program shown in FIG. 15. Thatis, in the zoom up hesitation process subroutine, the EZ zoom upoperation is restarted if the zoom up button 2 is operated for 0.5seconds or longer.

In step S48 shown in FIG. 15 to which the flow has been returned,whether or not zooming has arrived at point I is discriminated. If ithas arrived at the point I, the flow proceeds to step S49 in which theEZ zoom up is stopped and the trimming magnification β is set to 2.5. Innext step S50, whether or not the switch ZUS has been switched off isdiscriminated. If it has been switched off, the execution of the programis completed. If a negative discrimination is made in step S43, the flowproceeds to step S51 in which the EZ zoom up operation is started. Then,the flow proceeds to step S48.

If a discrimination is made that the photographing mode is the normalphotographing mode in which the trimming magnification β is 1, the OZand EZ zoom up operations are started in step S52. In step S53, whetheror not zooming has arrived at the point F is discriminated. If it hasarrived at the point F, the flow proceeds to step S54. If it has beennegated, the flow proceeds to step S59. In step S54, the OZ zoom upoperation is stopped. In next step. S55, the aforesaid zoom uphesitation process subroutine shown in FIG. 17 is executed. That is, ifthe zoom up button 2 has been operated for 0.5 seconds or longer at thepoint F after the EZ zoom up operation had been temporarily stopped, thezoom up operation is restarted. Then, the flow proceeds to step S56. Ifit has been negated, the execution of the program is completed. In stepS56, whether or not zooming has arrived at point G is discriminated. Ifzooming has arrived at the point G, the flow proceeds to step S57. Instep S57, the trimming magnification β is set to 1.12. Then, in nextstep S58, the zoom up hesitation process subroutine is again executed.If the zoom up button 2 has been operated for 0.5 seconds at the point Gafter the EZ zoom up operation had been stopped, the EZ zoom upoperation is restarted. Then, the flow proceeds to step S45. If it hasbeen negated, the execution of the program is completed. If a negativediscrimination is made in step S53, whether or not the switch ZUS hasbeen switched off is discriminated in step S59. If it has been switchedoff, the flow proceeds to step S63 shown in FIG. 16. If it has beennegated, the flow returns to step S53.

If a negative discrimination is made in step S41, the OZ and EZ zoom upoperations are started in step S61 shown in FIG. 16. In next step S62,whether or not zooming has arrived at the point I is discriminated. Ifzooming has arrived at the point I, the flow proceeds to step S63. If ithas been negated, the flow proceeds to step S65. In step S63, the OZ andEZ zoom up operations are stopped. Then, in step S64, whether or not theswitch ZUS has been switched off is discriminated. If it has beenswitched off, the execution of the program is completed. If a negativediscrimination has been made in step S62, whether or not the switch ZUShas been switched off is discriminated. If it has been switched off, theflow proceeds to step S63. If it has been negated, the flow returns tostep S62.

FIGS. 18 and 19 are flow charts for a program for the zoom down process.The microcomputer of the control circuit 4 starts executing the programwhen the switch ZDS is switched on. Then, the zoom down processaccording to the second embodiment will now be described with referenceto the flow chart.

In step S81, whether or not the trimming magnification β is the maximummagnification βmax is discriminated. If it has been negated, the flowproceeds to step S97. If it has been negated, the flow proceeds to stepS82. In step S82, whether or not the photographing mode is the normalphotographing mode in which the trimming magnification β is 1 isdiscriminated. If an affirmative discrimination has been made, the flowproceeds to step S92 shown in FIG. 19. If it has been negated, the flowproceeds to step S83. In step S83, whether or not the pseud focal lengthGF is present on the point G is discriminated. If an affirmativediscrimination is made, the flow proceeds to step S88. If a negativediscrimination is made, the flow proceeds to step S84. In step S84, theEZ zoom down operation is started. In next step S85, whether or notzooming has arrived at the point G is discriminated. If zooming hasarrived at the point G, the flow proceeds to step S86. In step S86, thetrimming magnification β is set to 1.12. In next step S87, the zoom downhesitation process subroutine shown in FIG. 20 is executed.

In step S111 shown in FIG. 20, the EZ zoom down operation is stopped. Innext step S112, the 0.5-second timer is started. The 0.5-second timeracts to measure the time in which the zoom up button 3 is operatedcontinuously at a predetermined position. The time which is measured bythe timer is not limited to the aforesaid 0.5 seconds. In step S113,whether or not the switch ZDS has been switched off is discriminated. Ifit has been switched off, the execution of the program is completed. Ifit has been negated, the flow proceed to step S114. In step S114,whether or not the time set by the 0.5-second timer has passed isdiscriminated. If it has passed, the flow proceeds to step S115. If ithas not passed, the flow returns to step S113. In Step S115, the EZ zoomdown operation is again started. Then, the flow returns to the programshown in FIG. 18. That is, in the zoom down hesitation processsubroutine, the EZ zoom down operation is restarted if the zoom downbutton 3 is operated for 0.5 seconds or longer.

In step S89 shown in FIG. 18 to which the flow has been returned,whether or not zooming has arrived at point F is discriminated. If ithas arrived at the point F, the flow proceeds to step S90 in which thetrimming magnification β is set to 1. In step S91, the zoom downhesitation process subroutine shown in FIG. 20 is again executed. If thezoom down button 3 has ben operated for 0.5 seconds for the point Fafter the EZ zoom down operation had been temporarily stopped, the EZzoom down operation is restarted. In next step S92 shown in FIG. 19,also the OZ zoom down operation is started. Then, in step S93, whetheror not zooming has arrived at the point E is discriminated. If zoominghas arrived at the point E, the flow proceeds to step S95. It it hasbeen negated, the flow proceed to step S94. In step S94, whether or notthe switch ZDS has been switched off is discriminated. If it has beenswitched off, the flow proceeds to step S95. If it has been negated, theflow returns to step S93. In step S95, the OZ and EZ zoom downoperations are stopped. In next step S96, whether or not the switch ZDShas been switched off is discriminated. If it has been switched off, theexecution of the program is completed. If a negative discrimination ismade in step S83 shown in FIG. 18, the EZ zoom down operation is startedin step S88. Then, the flow proceeds to step S89.

If an affirmative discrimination is made in step S81, the OZ and EZ zoomdown operations are started in step S97. In step S98, whether or notzooming has arrived at the point J is discriminated. If zooming hasarrived at point J, the flow proceeds to step S99. If a negativediscrimination is made, the flow proceeds to step S102. In step S99, theOZ zoom down operation is stopped. In step S102, whether or not theswitch ZDS has been switched off is discriminated. If it has beenswitched off, the flow proceeds to step S95 shown in FIG. 19. If it hasbeen negated, the flow returns to step S98. In next step S100, whetheror not zooming has arrived at point E is discriminated. If zooming hasarrived at the point E, the flow proceeds to step S101 in which the EZzooming down operation is stopped and the trimming magnification β isset to 1. Then, the flow proceeds to step S96 shown in FIG. 19 in whichwhether or not the switch ZDS has been switched off is discriminated. Ifthe switch ZDS has been switched off, the execution of the program iscompleted.

Then, a third embodiment will now be described in which the OZ and EZzooming up/down operations are performed by operating only the zoom upbutton 2 will now be described. According to the third embodiment,zooming is performed sequentially in the following order: point A →pointB→point C→point D→point A as shown in FIG. 12. The structure accordingto the third embodiment is arranged in such a manner that the zoom downbutton 3 and the switch ZDS are omitted from the structure according tothe first embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. Therefore, thedescription about the structure is omitted here. According to thisembodiment, the maximum trimming magnification βmax is set to 1.7.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart which illustrates a program for the zoomprocess. The microcomputer of the control circuit 4 starts executing theprogram when the switch ZUS is switched on.

In step S121, whether or not the trimming magnification β is 1, that is,whether or not the photographing mode is the normal photographing mode,is discriminated. If it is the normal photographing mode, the flowproceeds to step S122. If it has been negated, the flow proceeds to stepS131. In step S122, the OZ and EZ zoom up operations are started. Innext step S123, whether or not zooming has arrived at the point B isdiscriminated. If zooming has arrived at the point B, the flow proceedsto step S125. If it has been negated, the flow proceeds to step S124. Instep S124, whether or not the switch ZUS has been switched off isdiscriminated. If it has ben switched off, the execution of the programis completed. If it has been negated, the flow returns to step S123. Instep S125, the OZ zoom up operation is stopped. In next step S126, thetimer process subroutine shown in FIG. 22 is executed.

In step S141 shown in FIG. 22, the 0.5-second timer is started. In nextstep S142, whether or not the switch ZUS has been switched off isdiscriminated. If it has been switched off, the execution of the programis completed. If it has been negated, the flow proceeds to step S143 inwhich whether or not the time set by the 0.5-second timer has passed isdiscriminated. If the time has passed, the flow returns to the programshown in FIG. 21. If it has been negated, the flow returns to step S142.That is, in this timer process subroutine, whether or not the zoom upbutton 2 has been operated for 0.5 seconds is discriminated. If it hasbeen operated for 0.5 seconds, the zooming operation is continued. If ithas been released, the execution of the program is completed. The timewhich is measured by the timer is not limited to the aforesaid 0.5seconds.

In step S127 shown in FIG. 21 to which the flow has been returned, theEZ zoom up operation is started. In next step S128, whether or notzooming has arrived at the point C is discriminated. If it has arrivedat the point C, the flow proceeds to step S129 in which the EZ zoom upoperation is stopped and the trimming magnification β is set to 1.7. Innext step S130, the timer process subroutine shown in FIG. 22 is againexecuted. If the zoom up button 2 has been operated for 0.5 seconds atthe point C as described above, the flow proceeds to step S131. In stepS131, the OZ and EZ zoom down operations are started. In next step S132,whether or not zooming has arrived at the point D is discriminated. Ifzooming has arrived at the point D, the flow proceeds to step S133. Ifit has been negated, the flow proceeds to step S139. In step S133, theOZ and EZ zoom down operations are stopped. In next step S134, the timerprocess subroutine is executed. If the zoom up button 2 has beenoperated for 0.5 seconds at the point D, the flow proceeds to step S135in which the EZ zoom down operation is started. In step S136, whether ornot zooming has arrived at the point A is discriminated. If zooming hasarrived at the point A, the flow proceeds to step S137. In step S137,the EZ zoom down operation is stopped and the trimming magnification βis set to 1. Then, the timer process subroutine is executed. If the zoomup button has been operated for 0.5 seconds at the point A, the flowreturns to step S122. If a negative discrimination is made in step S132,whether or not the switch ZUS has been switched off is discriminated instep S139. If it has been switched off, the execution of the program iscompleted. If it has been negated, the flow returns to step S132.

As described above, when the zoom up button 2 has been operated for apredetermined time at position of the longest focal length FT of thezoom lens 1, the trimming magnification β is set to the maximum trimmingmagnification βmax. If the zoom button 3 is then operated, the zoom lens1 is zoomed down while maintaining the maximum trimming magnificationβmax. If the zoom down button 3 has been operated for a predeterminedtime at the position of the shortest focal length. FW of the zoom lens1, the trimming magnification β is set to 1. Therefore, the focal lengthof the zoom lens can be continuously changed from the shortest focallength FW to the longest pseud focal length. Furthermore, theconventional necessity of adjusting the focal length of the printinglens at the time of the printing process according to the varioustrimming magnifications β at the time of the photography operation canbe eliminated. Therefore, the time taken to complete the printingprocess can be shorted and thereby the cost required to perform theprinting process can be reduced.

Furthermore, as described in the second embodiment, in a case where themaximum trimming magnification βmax is larger than the zoom ratio FT/FWof the zoom lens 1, the trimming magnification β can be set in a steppedmanner in the range from the longest focal length FT to the pseud focallength which is defined by the product of the shortest focal length FWand the maximum trimming magnification βmax. Therefore, the focal lengthof the zoom lens can be continuously changed from the shortest focallength FW to the longest pseud focal length with the minimum kinds ofthe trimming magnifications β.

Furthermore, the time taken to complete the printing process can beshortened and the cost required to complete the printing process can bereduced.

Furthermore, since the zoom up and zoom down operations are performed byone zoom lens operation button as described above, the handling facilitycan be improved.

The maximum trimming magnification βmax and the intermediate trimmingmagnification are not limited to the aforesaid magnifications. Anymagnification may be employed so far as it is smaller than the maximumtrimming ratio which is used at a process of enlarging and printing thenormal size in a laboratory.

In the structures according to the aforesaid embodiments, the zoom upbutton 2 and the zoom down button 3 constitute an operation device, thecontrol circuit 4 constitutes a control device and the zoom lensconstitutes an electromotive zoom lens.

As described above, according to an embodiment of the present invention,when the operation device is further operated to the zoom up side at theposition of the longest focal length FT of the electromotive zoom lens,the trimming magnification β is set to the maximum trimmingmagnification βmax. When the operation device is then operated to thezoom down side, the electromotive zoom lens is zoomed down whilemaintaining the maximum trimming magnification βmax. When the operationdevice is further operated to the zoom down side at the position of theshortest focal length FW of the electromotive zoom lens, the trimmingmagnification β is changed from the maximum trimming magnification βmaxto 1. Therefore, the focal length of the zoom lens can be continuouslychanged from the shortest focal length FW to the longest pseud focallength. Furthermore, the magnification β at the time of trimmingphotographing can be reduced to one type, that is, the maximummagnification βmax. As a result, the time taken to complete the printingprocess can be shortened and thereby the cost required to complete theprinting process can be reduced.

Furthermore, as described in the embodiment of the present invention, ina case where the maximum trimming magnification βmax is larger than thezoom ratio FT/FW of the electromotive zoom lens, the trimmingmagnification β can be set in a stepped manner in the range from thelongest focal length FT to the pseud focal length which is defined bythe product of the shortest focal length FW and the maximum trimmingmagnification βmax. Therefore, the focal-length of the zoom lens can becontinuously changed from the shortest focal length FW to the longestpseud focal length with the minimum kinds of the trimming magnificationsβ. Furthermore, the time taken to complete the printing process can beshortened and the cost required to complete the printing process can bereduced.

Then, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will now be describedwith reference to FIG. 5.

According to this embodiment, the range of the focal length F=59.5 to 70mm in the zoom range of the zoom lens 11 overlaps with the range of thepseud focal length GF=59.5 to 70 mm at the time of the trimmingphotographing operation performed with the magnification, β=1.7.

When the zoom up button 2 or the zoom down button 3 is operated, thereal focal length F, the trimming magnification β and the pseud focallength GF of the zoom lens 1, the finder zoom lenses 27 and 28 arechanged as follows:

Assumptions are made here that the zoom lens 1 and the finder zoomlenses 27 and 28 are located at the wide end FW and the photographingmode is the normal photographing mode in which the trimmingmagnification β is 1. When the zoom up button 2 is operated, the zoomlens 1 and the finder zoom lenses 27 and 28 are zoomed up from the pointA, causing the real focal length F and the pseud focal length GF to beincreased. As a result, zooming arrives at point C via the point B.Thus, zoom up of the zoom lens 1 and those of the finder zoom lenses 27and 28 are stopped. When the zoom up button 2 is further operated at thepoint C, only the zoom lens 1 is zoomed down, and it arrives at thepoint E. As a result, the trimming magnification β is set to 1.7. All ofthe zoom lens 1 and the finder zoom lenses 27 and 28 are zoomed up fromthe point E. Thus, zooming arrives at the point F at which the realfocal length F and the pseud focal length GF=119 mm.

When the zoom down button 3 is then operated at the point F, the zoomlens 1 and the finder zoom lenses 27 and 28 are zoomed down whilemaintaining the trimming magnification β=1.7. As a result, the realfocal length F and the pseud focal length GF are decreased, causingzooming to arrive at the point D via the point E. When the zoom downbutton 3 is further operated at the point D, only the zoom lens 1 iszoomed up, and zooming arrives at the point B. Therefore, the trimmingmagnification β is again set to 1. Then, all of the zoom lens 1 and thefinder zoom lenses 27 and 28 are zoomed down and zooming returns to thepoint A. That is, the normal photography is performed with any one ofthe real focal lengths F on a straight line passing from the point A tothe point C, while the trimming photographing operation with thetrimming magnification β=1.7 is performed with any one of the pseudfocal lengths GF on a straight line passing from the point F to thepoint D. That is, the photographing mode can be selected from a groupconsisting of normal photographing and the trimming photographing in arange of the focal length from 59.5 to 70 mm.

FIGS. 23 and 24 illustrate a program for the zoom up process to beexecuted in the microcomputer of the control circuit 4. Themicrocomputer starts executing the program when the zoom up button 2 isoperated and the switch ZUS is switched on. Then, the zoom up processwill now be described with reference to FIGS. 23 and 24. The operationof zooming the zoom lens 1 is hereinafter called "OZ zoom up/down",while the operation of zooming the finder zoom lenses 27 and 28 ishereinafter called "EZ zoom up/down".

In step S151, whether or not the trimming magnification β is 1 isdiscriminated. If β=1, that is, the photographing mode is the normalphotographing mode, the flow proceeds to step S152. If it has beennegated, the flow proceeds to step S161 shown in FIG. 24. In step S152,the zoom lens motor driving circuit 12 is controlled so as to zoom upthe zoom lens 1 (OZ zoom up). Furthermore, the finder zoom lens motordriving circuit 16 is controlled so as to zoom up the finder zoom lenses27 and 28 (EZ zoom up). In next step S153, whether or not zooming hasarrived at the point C shown in FIG. 5 is discriminated. If it hasarrived at the point C, the flow proceeds to step S156. If it has beennegated, the flow proceeds to S154. In step S154, whether or not theswitch ZUS has been switched off, that is, whether or not the zoom upbutton 2 has been released, is discriminated. If it has been released,the flow proceeds to step S155. If it has been negated, the flow returnsto step S153. In step S155, the OZ and EZ zoom up operations arestopped. Thus, the execution of the program is completed.

If a discrimination has been made in step 153 that zooming has arrivedat the point C, the OZ and EZ zoom up operations are stopped in stepS156. In next step S157, the OZ zoom down operation is started. In stepS158, whether or zooming has arrived at the point E is discriminated. Ifzooming has arrived at the point E, the flow proceeds to step S159, theOZ zoom down operation is stopped and the trimming magnification β isset to 1.7. In step S160, whether or not the switch ZUS has beenswitched off is discriminated. If it has been switched off, theexecution of the program is completed. If it has not been switched off,the flow proceeds to step S161 shown in FIG. 24.

In step S161 shown in FIG. 23, the OZ and EZ zoom up operations arestarted. In next step S162, whether or not zooming has arrived at thepoint F is discriminated. If zooming has arrived at the point F, theflow proceeds to step S163. If it has been negated, the flow proceeds tostep S165. The OZ and EZ zoom up operations are stopped in step S163,and whether or not the switch ZUS has been switched off is discriminatedin step S164. If it has been switched off, the execution of the programis completed. If a discrimination has been made in step S162 thatzooming has not arrived at the point F, whether or not the switch ZUShas been switched off is discriminated in step S165. If it has beenswitched off, the flow proceeds to step S155 shown in FIG. 23. If it hasbeen negated, the flow returns to step S162.

FIGS. 25 and 26 illustrate the program for the zoom down process to beexecuted by the microcomputer of the control circuit 4. Themicrocomputer starts executing the program when the zoom button 3 isoperated and thereby the switch ZDS is switched on. Then, the zoom downprocess will now be described with reference to FIGS. 25 and 26.

In step S171, whether or not the trimming magnification β is 1 isdiscriminated. If the photographing mode is the normal photographingmode in which the trimming magnification β is 1, the flow proceeds tostep S181 shown in FIG. 26. If it has been negated, the flow proceeds tostep S172. In step S172, the OZ and EZ zoom down operations are startedsince the present photographing mode is the trimming photographing modein which the trimming magnification β is 1.7. In next step S173, whetheror not zooming has arrived at the point D is discriminated. IF thezooming has arrived at the point D, the flow proceeds to step S176. Ifit has been negated, the flow proceeds to step S174. In step S174,whether or not the switch ZDS has been switched off, that is, whether ornot the zoom down button 3 has been released, is discriminated. If ithas been opened, the flow proceeds to step S175. If it has been negated,the flow returns to step S173.

If a discrimination has been made in step S173 that zooming has arrivedat the point D, the OZ and EZ zoom down operations are stopped in stepS176. In next step S177, the OZ zoom up operation is started. In nextstep S178, whether or not zooming has arrived at the point B isdiscriminated. If zooming has arrived at the point B, the flow proceedsto step S179. In step S179, the OZ zoom up operation is stopped and thetrimming magnification β is set to 1. In next step S180, whether or notthe switch ZDS has been switched off is discriminated. If it has beenswitched off, the execution of the program is completed. If it has beennegated, the flow proceeds to step S181 shown in FIG. 26.

In step S181 shown in FIG. 26, the OZ and EZ zoom down operations arestarted. In next step S182, whether or not zooming has arrived at thepoint A is discriminated. If a discrimination has been made that zoominghad arrived at the point A, the flow proceeds to step S183. If it hasbeen negated, the flow proceeds to step S185. In step S183, the OZ andEZ zoom down operations are stopped. In next step S184, whether or notthe switch ZDS has been switched off is discriminated. If it has beenswitched off, the execution of the program is completed. If adiscrimination is made in step S182 that zooming has not arrived at thepoint A, whether or not the switch ZDS has been switched off isdiscriminated in step S185. If it has been switched off, the flowproceeds to step S175 shown in FIG. 25. If it has been negated, the flowreturns to step S182.

As described above, the trimming magnification β is set so as to makethe focal length F=59.5 to 70 mm (B to C) which is a part of the opticalzoom range F=35 to 70 mm (A to C) overlap the focal length GF=59.5 to 70mm (D to E) Which is a part of the pseud zoom range GF 59.5 to 119 mm (Dto F). Furthermore, the focal length of the optical zoom range isselected by the zoom up operation and the pseud zoom range is selectedby the zoom down operation. Therefore, pseud zoom photographing in whichthe wide side of the zoom lens is used or normal zoom photographing inwhich the telephoto side of the zoom lens is used can be selectedaccording to the photographing status. That is, in the latter case inwhich trimming photographing is performed in such a manner that thepseud focal length GF=59.5 to 70 mm corresponding to D to E shown inFIG. 5, the zoom lens 1 is in a range from the real focal length F=35and F=41.2 mm. Therefore, the photography can be performed by using abright portion of the lens in which the aperture F-value is small ascompared with that on the telephoto side. On the other hand, in thelatter case in which the normal zoom photographing operation isperformed in the real focal length F is ranged from 59.5 mm to 70 mm,the photographed frame is printed as it is as compared with theaforesaid trimming photographing operation in which the photographedframe is trimmed and enlarged. Therefore, a zoom up picture having fineimage particles can be obtained at the time of the printing operation.In both cases, zoom up pictures of the same magnification can beobtained and the optimum side can be selected according to the status ofthe photographing operation.

Although the aforesaid embodiment uses the camera having the zoom lenshaving a focal length variable range of 35 to 70 mm and a zoom ratioFT/FW=2 and capable of performing the trimming photographing operation,the focal length variable range and the zoom ratio of the zoom lens arenot limited to the aforesaid values.

The overlap range of the real focal length F of the optical zoom rangeand the pseud focal length GF of the pseud zoom range is not limited tothe value according to the aforesaid embodiment.

In general, a portion of the optical zoom range and a portion of thepseud zoom range are able to overlap in a case where the shortest focallength FW, the longest focal length FT and the trimming magnification βof the zoom lens hold the following relationship:

FT>βFW

That is,

α>β

where α is the zoom ratio of the zoom lens expressed by α=FT/FW.

In general, the trimming magnification β must be determined, forexample, as follows in order to achieve the object of the presentinvention while taking the limit present in designing the zoom lens intoconsideration:

    β<(FT/FW)/1.15 (when (α≦2)

    β<α/1.15 (when α≦2)                (2)

    β<(FT/FW)/1.25 (when α>2)

    β<α/1.25 (when α>2)                       (3)

As described above, the trimming magnification is set so as to make theportion of the focal length of the optical zoom range overlap theportion of the focal length of the pseud zoom range. The pseud zoomphotographing operation in which the wide side of the zoom lens having asmall aperture F-value is used or the normal zoom photographingoperation in which the telephoto side of the zoom lens is used so as toobtain a print having fine image particles can be selected according tothe status of the photographing operation.

Then, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view which illustrates a fifth embodiment ofthe camera capable of performing the trimming photographing operation.

The lens barrel ring 24 for holding the zoom lens 1 is fastened to thecamera body 20, the lens barrel ring 24 being rotated by the zoom lensmotor 13 by means of the gear 21 fastened to the rotational shaft of thezoom lens motor 13, the synchronizing gear 22 and a lens barrel gear 23fastened to the outer surface of the lens barrel ring 24 so as to bezoomed from the wide end to the telephoto end. According to thisembodiment, a zoom lens having a focal length F=35 to 70 mm and a zoomratio FT/FW=2 is used. The lens barrel ring 24 includes an encoder(omitted from illustration) so as to detect the position of the zoomlens 1, that is, the focal length F.

The finder zoom lenses 27 and 28 are held by the lens holding members 29and 30. The lens holding members 29 and 30 are held by the guide shaft31 slidably in the longitudinal direction, and are also respectivelyengaged with the cam grooves 33 and 34 of the finder cam 32. The findercam 32 is driven in synchronization with the rotation of the lens barrelring 24 which is driven by the zoom lens motor 13, the finder cam 32being driven via a two-step gear 42, the synchronizing gear 36 and thegear portion 37 formed on the reverse side of the finder cam 32. As aresult, the finder cam 32 is rotated around a cam shaft 43. When thefinder cam 32 is rotated, the lens holding members 29 and 30 slide onthe guide shaft 31 in the longitudinal direction, so that the finderzoom lenses 27 and 28 are zoomed from the shortest focal length 35 mm tothe longest focal length 70 mm.

Converters 44 and 45 are inserted into a portion on the optical axis ofthe zoom finder so as to vary the focal length of the finder zoom lenses27 and 28 according to the trimming magnification β at the time of thepseud zoom photographing operation. According to this embodiment, theconverter lens 44 has a magnification variation ratio corresponding tothe trimming magnification β=1.7, while the converter lens 45 has amagnification variation ratio corresponding to the trimmingmagnification β=2.0. Since the finder zoom lenses are zoomed in itsfocal length range from 35 to 70 mm by the aforesaid driving mechanism,the insertion-of the converter lens 44 into a portion on the opticalaxis of the zoom finder causes the focal length of the zoom finder to bevaried from in a range from 59.5 to 119 mm. That is, the thus variedfocal length is the pseud focal length GF in a case where the trimmingmagnification β is 1.7. Similarly, when the converter lens 45 isinserted into a portion on the optical axis of the zoom finder, thefocal length of the zoom finder is varied in a range from 70 to 140 mm.The aforesaid focal length becomes the pseud focal length GF in a casewhere the trimming magnification β is 2.0.

The converter lenses 44 and 45 are held by a rack 46. The rack 46 isengaged with a pinion gear 48 provided on the rotational shaft of theconverter lens motor 47. The converter lenses 44 and 45 are driven bythe converter lens motor 47 via the pinion gear 48, so that a lenscorresponding to the trimming magnification β is moved to the opticalaxis of the zoom finder at the time of the pseud zoom photographingoperation. The method of varying the magnification of the zoom finder atthe time of the pseud zoom photographing operation is not limited to themethod according to the aforesaid embodiment. Another method may beemployed in which the zoom finder is driven by a power source providedindividually from that for the zoom lens 1 and zooming is performed fromthe shortest focal length of the zoom lens 1 to the longest pseud focallength with the trimming magnification β. In the normal zoomphotographing mode in the optical zoom range, the aforesaid converterlenses 44 and 45 are retracted from the optical axis of the zoom finder.Reference numeral 5 represents a zoom up button for zooming up the zoomlens 1, and 6 represents a zoom down button for zooming down the zoomlens 1.

FIG. 28 is a block diagram which illustrates the structure of the fifthembodiment of the present invention.

Reference numeral 7 represents a control circuit composed of amicrocomputer and its peripheral elements, the control circuit 7performing the sequence process of the camera and as well as executing acontrol program to be described later so as to control the zoomingoperation. Reference numeral 12 represents a zoom lens motor drivingcircuit for driving the zoom lens motor 13 so as to zoom the zoom lens 1and the finder zoom lenses 27 and 28. Reference numeral 15 represents azoom lens position detection circuit for detecting the position of thezoom lens 1, that is, the focal length F by means of the aforesaidencoder. Reference numeral 49 represents a converter lens motor drivingcircuit for driving the converter lens motor 47 so as to move theconverter lenses 44 and 46 to the optical axis of the zoom finder.Reference numeral 50 represents an information recording circuit fordriving a imprinting device 51 so a to imprint the trimmingmagnification β and the like at the time of the pseud zoom photographingmode to a portion outside the frame adjacent to the photographed frame.The method of recording information is not limited to the aforesaidoptical method. A method of magnetically recording information to amagnetic track on the film via a magnetic head or a method in whichinformation is recorded to an IC card or the like while makinginformation to correspond to the photographed frame number.

Reference numeral 52 represents a trimming signal generating circuit forgenerating a signal denoting the type of the converter lenses 44 or 45inserted into the portion on the optical axis of the zoom finder. Thatis, the trimming signal generating circuit generates a signal denotingthat the trimming magnification β is 1.7 in a case where the converterlens 44 is inserted, while the same generates a signal denoting that thetrimming magnification β is 2.0 in a case where the converter lens 45 isinserted. Symbol ZUS represents a switch which is switched on when thezoom up button 5 is depressed and ZDS represents a switch which isswitched on when the zoom down button 6 is depressed.

In the structure according to the aforesaid embodiment, the zoom upbutton 5 and the zoom down button 6 constitute a switch device and thecontrol circuit 7 constitutes a control device.

FIG. 29 illustrates an example of zooming of the zoom lens 1. In thisexample, the focal length F of the zoom lens is assumed to be 35 to 70mm and the trimming magnification β is assumed to be 2.0.

In a case where the trimming magnification β=1, that is, thephotographing mode is the normal zoom photographing mode, both of thefocal length F of the zoom lens 1 and the pseud focal length GF of thezoom finder are increased in synchronization with the zooming upoperation of the zoom lens 1. As a result, the zoom lens 1 arrives atthe telephoto end (F=70 mm) at point P2. When the zoom lens 1 is oncezoomed down to point P3, the converter lens 45 having the magnificationvariation ratio corresponding to the trimming magnification β=2.0 isinserted into the portion on the optical axis of the zoom finder. Thatis, the pseud zoom photographing mode in which the trimmingmagnification β=2.0 is realized. The pseud focal length GF at this timeis the focal length when the pseud zoom photographing operation in whichthe trimming magnification β=2.0 is performed at the wide end (F=35 mm)of the zoom lens. If a state in which the zoom up button 5 is beingdepressed is maintained, both of the focal length F of the zoom lens 1and the pseud focal length GF of the zoom finder are increased insynchronization with the zooming up operation of the zoom lens 1.Therefore, the zoom lens 1 arrives at point P4 at which the pseud focallength GF is the longest length of 140 mm. The longest pseud focallength GF=140 mm is the focal length when the pseud zoom photographingoperation in which the trimming magnification β=2.0 is performed at thetelephoto end (F=70 mm) of the zoom lens 1.

In the pseud zoom photographing mode in which the trimming magnificationβ is 2.0, both of the focal length F of the zoom lens 1 and the pseudfocal length GF of the zoom finder are decreased in synchronization withthe zooming down operation of the zoom lens 1. Therefore, the zoom lens1 arrives at the point P3. At this time, the zoom lens 1 is temporarilyzoomed up to the point P2 and the converter lens 45 is retracted fromthe optical axis of the zoom finder. That is, the normal zoomphotographing mode in which the trimming magnification β is 1 isrealized. In the normal zoom photographing mode, the focal length F ofthe zoom lens 1 and the pseud focal length GF are the same value. If thestate in Which the zoom button 6 is being depressed is maintained, bothof the focal length F of the zoom lens 1 and the pseud focal length GFof the zoom finder are decreased in synchronization with the zoom downoperation of the zoom lens 1. Therefore, the zoom lens 1 arrives at thewide end (F=35 mm), that is, the point P1.

FIGS. 30 and 31 are flow charts which illustrate an example of theprogram for controlling the microcomputer in a case where the zoom lens1 is driven according to the graph of the zooming operation. Then, theoperation will now be described with reference to the flow charts.

The microcomputer starts executing the program for the zoom up processshown in FIG. 30 when the zoom up button 5 is depressed. After theexecution has been started, whether or not the trimming magnification βis 1 is discriminated according to information supplied from thetrimming signal generating circuit 52 in step S191. If the trimmingmagnification β is 1, that is, when the photographing mode is the normalzoom photographing mode, the flow proceeds to step S192. If it has beennegated, the flow proceeds to step S204. In step S192, the zoom lensmotor driving circuit 12 is controlled so as to start the zooming up ofthe zoom lens 1. In next step 193, whether or not the zoom lens 1 hasarrived at the point P2 is discriminated according to information aboutthe focal length supplied from the zoom lens position detection circuit15. If it has arrived at the point P2, the flow proceeds to step S194.If it has been negated, the flow proceeds to step S202. In step S202,whether or not the switch ZUS has been switched off, that is, whether ornot the zoom up button 5 has been released, is discriminated. If it hasbeen released, the execution of the program is complete. If it has beennegated, the flow returns to step S193. In step s194, the zoom lensmotor driving circuit 12 is controlled since the zoom lens has arrivedat the point P2. As a result, the zooming up of the zoom lens 1 isstopped.

Then, the zooming down of the zoom lens 1 is started in step S195. Innext step S196, whether or not zooming has arrived at the point P3 isdiscriminated. When zooming has arrived at the point P3, the flowproceeds to step S197 in which the zoom down of the zoom lens 1 isstopped and the converter lens motor driving circuit 49 is controlled soas to insert the converter lens 45 into a portion on the optical axis ofthe zoom finder. In step S198, whether or not the switch ZUS has beenswitched off is discriminated. If it has been switched off, theexecution of the program is completed. If it has been negated, the flowproceeds to step S199. In step S199, zoom up of the zoom lens 1 isrestarted. In next step S200, whether or not zooming has arrived at thepoint P4 is discriminated. If zooming has arrived at the point P4, theflow proceeds to step S201. If it has been negated, the flow proceeds tostep S203. In step S201, zooming up is stopped and the execution of theprogram is completed. In step S203, whether or not the switch ZUS hasbeen switched off is discriminated. If it has been switched off, theexecution of the program is completed. If it has been negated, the flowreturns to step S200.

If a discrimination is made in step S191 in which the trimmingmagnification β is not 1, the photographing mode is the pseud zoomphotographing mode in which the trimming magnification β is 2.0.Therefore, the zoom lens 1 is zoomed up in step S204. In next step S205,whether or not zooming has arrived at the point P4 is discriminated. Ifzooming has arrived at the point P4, the flow proceeds to step S206. Ifit has been negated, the flow proceeds to step S207. In step S206, thezoom up of the zoom lens 1 is stopped and the execution of the programis completed. In step S207, whether or not the switch ZUS has beenswitched off is discriminated. If it has been switched off, theexecution of the program is completed. If it has been negated, the flowreturns to step S205.

Then, the microcomputer starts executing the control program shown inFIG. 31 when the zoom down button 6 is depressed. In step S211 after theexecution has been started, whether or not the trimming magnification βis 1 is discriminated. If the photographing mode is the normal zoomphotographing mode in which the trimming magnification β is 1, the flowproceed to step S224. If it has been negated, the flow proceeds to stepS212. In step S212, zoom down of the zoom lens 1 is started. In nextstep S213, whether or not zooming has arrived at the point P3 isdiscriminated. If zooming has arrived at the point P3, the flow proceedsto step S214. If it has been negated, the flow proceeds to step S222. Instep S222, whether or not the switched ZDS has been switched off, thatis, whether or not the zoom down button 212 has been released, isdiscriminated. If it has ben released, the execution of the program iscompleted. If it has been negated, the flow returns to step S213. Instep S214, zoom down of the zoom lens 1 is stopped.

In next step S215, zoom up of the zoom lens 1 is started. In next stepS216, whether or not zooming has arrived at the point P2 isdiscriminated. If zooming has arrived at the point P2, the flow proceedsto step S217 in which the zoom up of the zoom lens 1 is stopped and theconverter lens 45 is retracted from the optical axis of the zoom finder.In next step S218, whether or not the switch ZDS has been switched offis discriminated. If it has been switched off, the execution of theprogram is completed. If it has been negated, the flow proceeds to stepS219. In step S219, zoom down of the zoom lens 1 is restarted. In nextstep S220, whether or not zooming has arrived at the point P1 isdiscriminated. If zooming has arrived at the point P1, the flow proceedsto step S221. If it has been negated, the flow proceeds to step S223. Instep S221, zoom down of the zoom lens 1 is stopped and the execution ofthe program is completed. In step S223, whether or not the switch ZDShas been switched off is discriminated. If it has been switched off, theexecution of the program is completed. If it has been negated, the flowreturns to step S220.

If a discrimination is made in step S211 that the photographing mode isthe normal zoom photographing mode in which the trimming magnificationβ=1, zoom down of the zoom lens 1 is started in step S224. In next stepS225, whether or not zooming has arrived at the point P1 isdiscriminated. If it has arrived at the point P1, the flow proceeds tostep S226. If it has been negated, the flow proceeds to step S227. Instep S226, zoom down of the zoom lens 1 is stopped and the execution ofthe program is completed. In step S227, whether or not the switch ZDShas been switched off is discriminated. If it has been switched off, theexecution of the program is completed. If it has been negated, the flowreturns to step S225.

FIGS. 32 and 33 illustrate another example of zooming of the zoom lens.In the example shown in FIG. 32, the zoom ratio of the zoom lens isenlarged as compared with that shown in FIG. 29, the focal length F ismade to be 35 to 82.4 mm and the trimming magnification β is made to be1.7 which is smaller than the zoom ratio. Similarly to the example ofzooming shown in FIG. 29, this example is arranged in such a manner thatthe zoom lens is zoomed up sequentially in the following order asP1→P2→P3→P4. Furthermore, the zoom lens is temporarily zoomed down tothe point P3 at the intermediate point P2. In addition, the converterlens 44 is inserted into the portion on the optical axis of the zoomfinder so as to switch the photographing mode into the pseudphotographing mode. At the time of the zoom down operation, the zoomlens is zoomed down sequentially in the following order as P4→P3 →P2→P1.Furthermore, the zoom lens is temporarily zoomed up at the intermediatepoint P3. Furthermore, the converter lens 44 is retracted from theoptical axis of the zoom finder and the photographing mode is switchedinto the normal zoom photographing mode.

In the example of zooming shown in FIG. 33, the zoom ratio of the zoomlens is made to be the same as that shown in FIG. 29. Furthermore, thetrimming magnification β at the time of the pseud zoom photographingmode is made to be two kinds, that is, 1.7 and 2.0. At the time of thezoom up operation, the zoom lens is sequentially zoomed up in thefollowing order as P1→P2→P3→P4→P5→P6. Furthermore, the zoom lens istemporarily zoomed down at the intermediate point P2. In addition, theconverter lens 44 is inserted into a portion of the optical axis of thezoom finder so as to switch the photographing mode into the pseud zoomphotographing mode. Furthermore, the zoom lens is further temporarilyzoomed down at an intermediate point P4 and the converter lens 45 isinserted into a portion on the optical axis of the zoom finder. That is,the converter lenses 44 and 45 are switched to each other at anintermediate time according to the trimming magnification β. At the timeof the zoom down operation, the zoom lens is zoomed down sequentially inthe following order as P6→P5→P4→P3→P2→P1. Furthermore, the zoom lens istemporarily zoomed at at an intermediate point P5 and the converter lens45 inserted into the portion on the optical axis of the zoom finder isreplaced by the converter lens 44. Furthermore, the zoom lens istemporarily zoomed up at the intermediate point P3 and the converterlens 44 inserted into the portion on the optical axis of the zoom finderis retracted from the optical axis.

According to the aforesaid example of the zooming operation, the zoomlens is zoomed down in such a manner that the focal length F of the zoomlens is changed from 1/1.4 of the focal length in the normal zoomphotographing mode to 1/2 of the same at the time of switching from thenormal zoom photographing mode to the pseud zoom photographing mode. Asa result, an advantage can be obtained in that the composition of thephotograph can be continuously set in the boundary between the opticalzoom range and the pseud zoom range thanks to the structure arranged insuch a manner that the focal length is continuously changed at the timeof switching from the normal zoom photographing mode to the pseud zoomphotographing mode. However, the operation of zooming the zoom lens mustbe performed at the time of switching the photographing mode. Therefore,problems arise in that the electric power consumption increases in orderto drive the zoom lens and a too long time takes to switch the operationof the zoom lens. Therefore, the movable range of the zoom lens islimited to the above described range at the time of switching the normalzoom photographing mode to the pseud zoom photographing mode.

By limiting the movable range of the zoom lens at the time of switchingthe mode, the trimming magnification β which can be set in the pseudzoom photographing mode is limited. Then, the trimming magnification βwill now be considered. For example, a comparison is made between asubject photographed with the trimming magnification β=1.2 and thatphotographed with the trimming magnification β=1. The size is notconsiderably changed and therefore the necessity of continuouslychanging the trimming magnification can be eliminated and no problemarises even if it is changed in a stepped manner. However, if thetrimming magnification β is changed from 1 to 1.4, the photographingrange, that is, the area, is halved excessively. In this case, thehandling facility can be improved by arranging the structure in such amanner that the pseud focal length, that is, the photographingmagnification is continuously changed as described above. If thetrimming magnification β is larger than 2, the enlarging magnificationis raised excessively, causing a problem to take place in that theparticles of the print become remarkable. Therefore, the normalphotographing mode and the pseud zoom photographing mode are switched ina range of the trimming magnification β from 1.4 to 2.0 and as well asthe focal length is continuously changed at the time of the switchingoperation.

When the mode is switched from the normal zoom photographing mode to thepseud zoom photographing mode, the zoom lens is zoomed down to aposition at which the focal length in the optical zoom range before theswitching operation is the same as the pseud focal length in the pseudzoom range after the switching operation. Then, the zoom lens is zoomedup when the zoom up button is then depressed. When the pseud zoomphotographing mode is switched to the normal photographing mode, thezoom lens is zoomed up to a position at which the pseud focal length inthe pseud zoom range before the switching operation is the same as thefocal length in the optical zoom range after the switching operation.Then, the zoom lens is zoomed down when the zoom down button is thendepressed. Therefore, the focal length can be continuously changed fromthe optical zoom range to the pseud zoom range with the minimum trimmingmagnification. Furthermore, since the number of the kinds of thetrimming magnifications can be reduced, the time taken to complete thetrimming operation in the printing process can be shortened andtherefore the cost required to complete the printing process can bereduced.

Although the aforesaid embodiment is described with reference to thestructure in which the zoom lens having the focal length F of 35 to 70mm and 35 to 82.4 mm is used, the specifications of the zoom lens arenot limited to those according to the embodiment. Although the trimmingmagnification β is made to be 1.7 and 2.0, the trimming magnification βis not limited to those. The necessity of switching the mode at thetelephoto end of the zoom lens can be eliminated. It may be switched atany point in the range in which the focal length of the zoom lens can bevaried. In this case, the photographing mode switch may be provided soas to switch the photographing mode. Similarly, the method of switchingmode from the pseud zoom photographing mode to the normal zoomphotographing mode is not limited to the aforesaid embodiment.

As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, when the mode isswitched from the normal zoom photographing mode to the aforesaid pseudzoom photographing mode, the zoom lens is zoomed down to a position atwhich the focal length in the optical zoom range before the switchingoperation is the same as the pseud focal length in the pseud zoom rangeafter the switching operation. Therefore, the focal length can becontinuously changed with the minimum number of types of the trimmingmagnifications and thereby the photography composition can becontinuously set. Furthermore, the time taken to complete the trimmingoperation in the printing process can be shortened and therefore thecost required to complete the printing process can be reduced.

According to the fifth embodiment, the zoom lens is zoomed up to aposition at which the pseud focal length in the pseud zoom range beforethe switching operation is the same as the focal length in the opticalzoom range after the switching operation when the mode is switched fromthe pseud zoom photographing mode to the normal zoom photographing mode.Therefore, the focal length can be continuously changed with the minimumnumber of types of the trimming magnifications and thereby thephotography composition can be continuously set. Furthermore, the timetaken to complete the trimming operation in the printing process can beshortened and therefore the cost required to complete the printingprocess can be reduced.

According to the fifth embodiment, when the mode is switched from thenormal zoom photographing mode to the aforesaid pseud zoom photographingmode, the zoom lens is zoomed down to a position at which the focallength of the zoom lens is ranged from 1/1.4 to 1/2 of the maximum focallength. Therefore, the time taken to switch the mode can be shortenedand the power consumption required to drive the zoom lens can bereduced.

Then, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

FIG. 34 illustrates a zoom lens part, a zoom finder part and anelectronic flash part of the camera according to the sixth embodiment.

A zoom lens part 53 is composed of the zoom lens 1, the mirror barrelring 24, the gear part 23 provided on the outer surface of the mirrorbarrel ring 24, the motor 13, the gear 21 provided on the rotationalshaft of the motor 13 and the synchronizing gear 22. The lens barrelring 24 is driven by the motor 13 via the gear 21, the synchronizinggear 22 and the gear part 23. When the lens barrel ring 24 is rotated,the focal length F of the photographing zoom lens 1 accommodated in thelens barrel ring 24 is changed.

The zoom finder part 54 is composed of the finder zoom lenses 27 and 28,the lens holding members 29 and 30 for holding the finder zoom lenses 27and 28, the guide shaft 31 for holding the lens holding members 29 and30 slidably in the direction of the optical axis, mirrors M1 and M2, aprism P1, a field lens L1, a visual field frame 55 and an ocular lensL2. The electronic flash part 56 is composed of a flash tube 57, areflecting mirror 58, an electronic flash holder 59 for holding theflash tube 57 and the reflecting mirror 58 and guide rode 60 for holdingthe electronic flash holder 59 slidably in the longitudinal direction.

Follower pins 29a and 30a of the lens holding members 29 and 30 arerespectively engaged with cam grooves 33 and 34 of the cam 32. Afollower pin 59 of the electronic flash holder 59 is engaged with a camgroove 61 of the cam 32. The cam 32 is driven by the motor 17 via acrown gear part 37 of the cam 32, gears 62, 63 and 64, a two-step gear65 and the gear 35 provided on the rotational shaft of the motor 17.When the cam 32 is rotated around the cam shaft 43, the zoom finder part54 and the electronic flash part 56 are zoomed.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram which illustrates the structure of a sixthembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 7, reference numeral 12 represents a zoom lens motordriving circuit for moving the photographing zoom lens 1 by rotating themotor 13. Reference numeral 15 represents a zoom lens position detectingcircuit which detects the position, that is, the focal length F, of thephotographing zoom lens 1, by means of an encoder included in the lensbarrel ring 24 and omitted from illustration. Reference numeral 16represents a motor driving circuit for zooming the zoom finder part 54and the electronic flash part 56 by rotating the motor 17. Referencenumeral 19 represents a finder zoom lens position detecting circuit fordetecting the positions of the finder zoom lenses 27 and 28 of the zoomfinder part 54, that is, the pseud focal length GF by an encoder(omitted from illustration). Symbol ZUS represents a switch which isswitched on when the zoom up button for zooming up the photographingzoom lens 1 is depressed. Symbol ZDS represents a switch which isswitched on when the zoom down button for zooming down the photographingzoom lens ZL is depressed. Reference numeral 8 represents a controlcircuit composed of a microcomputer and its peripheral elements, thecontrol circuit 8 performing the various operations and the operationsequence process required for the camera and as well as executing acontrol program to be described later for the purpose of controlling thezoom lens part 53 and the zoom finder part 54.

In the above described structure, the control circuit 8 constitutes amagnification selection device.

FIG. 35 illustrates an example of an operation of zooming thephotographing zoom lens 1 and the finder zoom lenses 27 and 28 of thezoom finder part 54. According to this embodiment, the focal length F ofthe photographing lens 1 is assumed to be 35 to 70 mm and the trimmingmagnification β is assumed to be three magnifications, that is, 1, 1.4and 1.7.

In the normal zoom photographing mode in which the trimmingmagnification β is 1, the pseud focal length GF is the same value as thefocal length F of the photographing zoom lens 1 and is varied in a rangefrom 35 to 70 mm. In the pseud zoom photographing mode in which thetrimming magnification β is 1.4, the pseud focal length GF is changed ina range from 49 to 98 mm obtained by multiplying the focal length F=35to 70 mm of the photographing zoom lens 1 by the trimming magnificationβ=1.4. Therefore, the pseud focal length GF=49 to 70 mm and the focallength F=49 to 70 mm in the optical zoom range overlap.

In the pseud zoom photographing mode in which the trimming magnificationβ=1.7, the pseud focal length GF is changed in a range from 59.5 to 119mm obtained by multiplying the focal length F=35 to 70 mm of thephotographing zoom lens 1 by the trimming magnification β=1.7.Therefore, the pseud focal length GF=59.5 to 98 mm in this case and thepseud focal length GF=59.5 to 98 mm in the pseud zoom range in a casewhere the trimming magnification β is 1.4 overlap. Furthermore, thepseud focal length GF=59.5 to 70 mm overlaps the focal length F=59.5 to70 mm in the optical zoom range.

In a case where the same focal length can be set by a plurality oftrimming magnifications β, a mode having a small trimming magnificationβ is selected in order to obtain a print having a superior imagequality. That is, in a case where the photographing operation isperformed while making the focal length F to be 35 mm≦F≦70 mm, theoptical zoom range of the photographing zoom lens 1 is used. In a casewhere the photographing operation is performed while making the pseudofocal length GF to be 70 mm≦GF≦98 mm, the pseud zoom range in which thetrimming magnification β is 1.4 is used. In a case where thephotographing operation is performed while making the pseud focal lengthGF to be 98 mm<GF≦119 mm, the pseud zoom range in which the trimmingmagnification β is 1.7 is used.

The actual zooming operation is performed as follows: at the time of thezooming up operation, zooming is performed sequentially in the followingorder as P1→P2→P3→P4→P5→P6 as shown in FIG. 35. Furthermore, thephotographing zoom lens 1 is temporarily zoomed down at an intermediatepoint P2 to point P3 at which the focal length F is 50 mm. In addition,the trimming magnification β is set to 1.4. Furthermore, thephotographing zoom lens 1 is temporarily zoomed down at an intermediatepoint P4 to point P5 at which the focal length F=57.6 mm and as well asthe trimming magnification β is set to 1.7. In a case of the zoom downoperation, zooming is performed sequentially in the following order as:P6→P5→P4→P3→P2→P1 and the photographing zoom lens 1 is temporarilyzoomed up at intermediate point P5 to point P4 at which the focal lengthF is 70 mm. Furthermore, the trimming magnification β is set to 1.4. Inaddition, the photographing zoom lens 1 is temporarily zoomed up at theintermediate point P3 to the point P2 at which the focal length F is 70mm and the trimming magnification β is set to 1.

The photographing zoom lens 1 is driven by the motor 13 and its focallength F is changed in a range from 35 to 70 mm. On the other hand, thezoom finder part 54 is driven by the motor 17 and its focal length, thatis, the pseud focal length GF is changed in a range from 35 to 119 mm asdesignated by a solid line shown in FIG. 35, the change being madeaccording to each trimming magnification β. Furthermore, the electronicflash part 56 is driven in synchronization with the zoom finder part 54so as to illuminate a range of an angle of field which corresponds tothe pseud focal length GF.

FIGS. 36 and 37 are flow charts which illustrate an example of a programfor the zoom up process. Then, the zoom up operation will now bedescribed with reference to the flow chart. Description will be madehereinafter that zooming of the photographing zoom lens 1 is called "OZzoom" and zooming of the zoom finder part 54 and that of the electronicflash part 56 are called "EX zoom".

The microcomputer of the control circuit 8 starts executing the programwhen the zoom up button is depressed and thereby the switch ZUS isswitched on. In step S231 after the execution has been started, whetheror not the photographing mode is the pseud photographing mode in whichthe trimming magnification β is 1.7. If an affirmative discriminationhas been made, the flow proceeds to step S251. If it has been negated,the flow proceeds to step S232. In step S232, whether or not thephotographing mode is the pseud photographing mode in which the trimmingmagnification β is 1.4. If an affirmative discrimination has been made,the flow proceeds to step S242. If it has been negated, the flowproceeds to step S233.

If the trimming magnification β is not 1.7 or 1.4, the photographingmode is the normal zoom photographing mode in which β is 1. In stepS233, the motor driving circuit 12 is controlled so as to commence zoomup of the photographing zoom lens 1. Furthermore, the motor drivingcircuit 16 is controlled so as to commence zooming up of the zoom finderpart 54 and the electronic flash part 56. In next step S234, whether ornot the photographing zoom lens 1 and the finder zoom lenses 27 and 28have arrived at the point P2 shown in FIG. 35 is discriminated by thezoom lens position detecting circuit 15 and the finder zoom lensposition detection circuit 19. If an affirmative discrimination has beenmade, the flow proceeds to step S235. If it has been negated, the flowproceeds to step S236. In step S236, whether or not the switch ZUS hasbeen switched off by the zoom up button released is discriminated. If ithas been switched off, the execution of the program is completed. If ithas been negated, the flow returns to step S234. In step S235, the OZand EZ zoom up operations are stopped and the flow proceeds to stepS237. In step S237, whether or not the switch ZUS has been switched offis discriminated. If it has been switched off, the execution of theprogram is completed. If it has been negated, the flow proceeds to stepS238.

In step S238, the OZ zoom down operation is started. In next step S239,whether or not zooming has arrived at the point P3 is discriminated. Ifzooming has arrived at the point P3, the flow proceeds to step S240 inwhich the OZ zoom down operation is stopped and the trimmingmagnification β is set to 1.4. In next step S241, whether or not theswitch ZUS has been switched off is discriminated. If it has beenswitched off, the execution of the program is completed. If it has beennegated, the flow proceeds to step S242. In step S242, the OZ and EZzoom up operations are started. In next step S243, whether or notzooming has arrived at the point P4 is discriminated. If an affirmativediscrimination has been made, the floe proceeds to step S244. If it hasbeen negated, the flow proceeds to S245. In step S245, whether or notthe switch ZUS has been switched off is discriminated. If it has beenswitched off, the execution of the program is completed. If it has beennegated, the flow returns to step S243. In step S244, the OZ and EZ zoomup operations are stopped.

In step S246, whether or not the switch ZUS has been switched off isdiscriminated. If it has been switched off, the execution of the programis completed. If it has been negated, the flow proceeds to step S247. Instep S247, the OZ zoom down operation is started. In next step S248,whether or not zooming has arrived at the point P5 is discriminated. Ifzooming has arrived at the point P5, the flow proceeds to step S249 inwhich the OZ zoom down is stopped and the trimming magnification β isset to 1.7. In step S250, whether or not the switch ZUS has beenswitched off is discriminated. If it has been switched off, theexecution of the program is completed. If it has been negated, the flowproceeds to step S251. In step S251, the OZ and EZ zoom up operationsare started. In next step S252 shown in FIG. 37, whether or not zoominghas arrived at the point P6 is discriminated. If an affirmativediscrimination has been made, the flow proceeds to step S253. If it hasbeen negated, the flow proceeds to step S254. In step S254, whether ornot the switch ZUS has been switched off is discriminated. If it hasbeen switched off, the execution of the program is completed. If it hasbeen negated, the flow returns to step S252. In step S253, the OZ and EZzoom up operations are stopped and the execution of the program iscompleted.

FIGS. 38 and 39 are flow charts which illustrate an example of a programfor the zoom down process. Then, the zoom down operation will now bedescribed with reference to the flow charts.

The microcomputer of the control circuit starts executing the programwhen the zoom down button is depressed and thereby the switch ZDS isswitched on. In step S261 after the execution has been started, whetheror not the photographing mode is the normal zoom photographing mode inwhich the trimming magnification β is 1 is discriminated. If anaffirmative discrimination has been made, the flow proceeds to stepS281. If it has been negated, the flow proceeds to step S262. In stepS262, whether or not the photographing mode is the pseud zoomphotographing mode in which the trimming magnification β is 1.4 isdiscriminated. If an affirmative discrimination has been made, the flowproceeds to step S272. If it has been negated, the flow proceeds to stepS263.

If the trimming magnification β is not 1 or 1.4, the photographing modeis the pseud zoom photographing mode in which β is 1.7. In step S263,the motor driving circuit 12 is controlled so as to start zooming downof the zoom lens 1. Furthermore, the motor driving circuit 16 iscontrolled so as to start zooming down of the zoom finder part 54 andthe electronic flash part 56. In next step S264, whether or not thephotographing zoom lens 1 and the finder zoom lenses 27 and 28 havearrived at the point P5 is discriminated by the zoom lens positiondetecting circuit 15 and the finder zoom lens position detecting circuit19. If an affirmative discrimination has been made, the flow proceeds tostep S265. If it has been negated, the flow proceeds to step S266. Instep S266, whether or not the switch ZDS has been switched off by thezoom button released is discriminated. If it has been switched off, theexecution of the program is completed. If it has been negated, the flowreturns to step S264. In step S265, the OZ and EZ zoom up operations arestopped and the flow proceeds to step S267. In step S267, whether or notthe switch ZDS has been switched off is discriminated. If it has beenswitched off, the execution of the program is completed. If it has beennegated, the flow proceeds to step S268.

In step S268, the OZ zoom up operation is started. In next step S269,whether or not zooming has arrived at the point P4 is discriminated. Ifit has arrived at the point P4, the flow proceeds to step S270 in whichthe OZ zoom up operation is stopped and the trimming magnification β isset to 1.4. In next step S271, whether or not the switch ZDS has beenswitched off is discriminated. If it has been switched off, theexecution of the program is completed. If it has been negated, the flowproceeds to step S272. In step S272, the OZ and EZ zoom down operationsare started. In next step S273, whether or not zooming has arrived atthe point P3 is discriminated. If an affirmative discrimination has beenmade, the flow proceeds to step S274. If it has been negated, the flowproceeds to step S275. In step S275, whether or not the switch ZDS hasbeen switched off is discriminated. If it has been switched off, theexecution of the program is completed. If it has been negated, the flowreturns to step S273. In step S274, the OZ and EZ zoom down operationsare stopped.

In step S276, whether or not the switch ZDS has been switched off isdiscriminated. If it has been switched off, the execution of the programis completed. If it has been negated, the flow proceeds to step S277. Instep S277, the OZ zoom up operation is started. In next step S278,whether or not zooming has arrived at the point P2 is discriminated. Ifzooming has arrived at the point P2, the flow proceeds to step S279 inwhich the OZ zoom up operation is stopped and the trimming magnificationβ is set to 1. In step S280, whether or not the switch ZDS hasbeen-switched off is discriminated. If it has been switched off, theexecution of the program is completed. If it has been negated, the flowproceeds to step S281. In step S281, the OZ and EZ zoom down operationsare started. In next step S282 shown in FIG. 39, whether or not zoominghas arrived at the point P1 is discriminated. If an affirmativediscrimination has been made, the flow proceeds to step S283. If it hasben negated, the flow proceeds to step S284. In step S284, whether ornot the switch ZDS has been switched off is discriminated. If it hasbeen switched off, the execution of the program is completed. If it hasbeen negated, the flow returns to step S282. In step S283, the OZ and EZzoom down operations are stopped and the execution of the program iscompleted.

As described above, in a case where a plurality of trimmingmagnifications which can be set to a desired focal length are present ina plurality of trimming magnifications, the minimum trimmingmagnification is selected and the desired focal length is set accordingto the selected trimming-magnification. Therefore, the photographoperation is always performed with the minimum trimming magnification.As a result, a print exhibiting excellent image quality can be obtained.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 35, a proper trimming magnification is setaccording to the zoom ratio of the photographing zoom lens. Therefore,the necessity of zooming down the photographing zoom lens to the wideend at the time of switching the mode from the normal photographing modeto the pseud zoom photographing mode or at the time of switching thetrimming magnification in the pseud zoom range is switched can beeliminated. Therefore, the switching operation can be performed smoothlyand the handling facility is therefore improved.

Although the aforesaid embodiment is described about a camera providedwith the photographing zoom lens having a range in which the focallength can be varied from 35 to 70 mm and the zoom ratio of 2, thecamera having the trimming magnifications of 1, 1.4 and 1.7. The rangeof the photographing zoom lens in which the focal length can be varied,the zoom ratio and the trimming magnification are not limited to thevalues according to the aforesaid embodiment.

Although the aforesaid embodiment is arranged in such a manner that thezoom lens and the zoom finder are driven by individual driving devices.They may be driven by the same driving device in synchronization witheach other.

As described above, according to the sixth embodiment, in a case where aplurality of trimming magnifications which can be set to a desired focallength are present in a plurality of trimming magnifications, theminimum trimming magnification is selected and the desired focal lengthis set according to the selected trimming magnification. Therefore, thephotograph operation is always performed with the minimum trimmingmagnification. As a result, a print exhibiting excellent image qualitycan be obtained.

Then, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will now bedescribed with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view which illustrates the structure of afinder of a camera capable of performing the trimming photographingoperation according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.The camera according to this embodiment is capable of performing thenormal photographing operation in which printing of the overall body ofa rectangular exposure region 9 on a film 40 shown in FIG. 9 isinstructed and a trimming photographing operation in which printing ofonly a trimming region 66 in the exposure region 9 is instructed. Thephotographing magnification at the time of the trimming photographingoperation is smaller than that at the time of the normal photographingoperation. The exposure region 9 is made to be 24 mm×36 mm if the film40 is the normal 35 mm-film. Assuming that the longitudinal dimension ofthe trimming region 66 is A and the horizontal dimension is B,magnification M can be obtained from the following equation:

    M=24/A=36/B

The operation of switching the mode between the normal photographingmode in which the normal photographing operation is performed and thetrimming photographing mode in which the trimming photographingoperation is performed is instructed by the operation of a mode switchSW5 shown in FIG. 40. In a case where the trimming photographingoperation has been instructed, trimming information is, corresponding tothe exposure region 9 of each of the frames, recorded to, for example, amarginal portion of the film. The recording method may be an opticalmethod, an electrical method or a magnetic method or the like. Also therecording region is not limited to the marginal portion of the film. Itmay be recorded to a predetermined recording region of a patrone. Therecorded trimming information is read on the laboratory side and onlythe trimming region 66 is enlarged and printed according to the readtrimming information. Information recording is not performed at the timeof the normal photographing operation.

FIG. 41 is a perspective view which illustrates the structure of afinder of a camera. Reference numeral 10 represents a zoom ring whichconstitutes the zoom lens part 53, the zoom ring accommodating a zoomlens optical system (omitted from illustration). A gear G1 is engagedwith the gear part 23 formed on the outer surface of the zoom ring 10.When the gear G1 is rotated by the zoom lens driving motor 13 (see FIG.40), the zoom ring 10 is rotated. According to the quantity of therotation of the zoom ring 10, the focal length of the zoom opticalsystem, that is, the photographing magnification is changed by a drivingsystem (omitted from illustration). The rotation of the zoom ring 10 istransmitted to the crown gear 37 of the cam 32 via the gear part 23 andthe gears G2 to G7 in this sequential order. The rotation of the gear G7rotates the cam 32 around the shaft 43. The cam 32 has two cam grooves33 and 34 in such a manner that the cam grooves 33 and 34 are moved whenthe cam 32 is rotated.

Reference numeral 11 represents a zoom finder part. The finder part 11comprises a reverse optical system consisting of a pair of finder zoomlenses 27 and 28 held by the lens holding members 29 and 30, the mirrorsM1 and M2 and the prism P1. The finder part 11 further comprises thefield lens L1, the visual field frame 55 and the ocular lens L2. Thefinder zoom lens 28 faces an objective window (omitted fromillustration) formed in the front portion of the body of the camera.Light of the subject made incident through the objective window passesthrough the lenses 27 and 28 and is reflected by the mirror M1.Reflected light passes through the field lens L1 and imaged adjacent tothe visual field frame 55. A photographer is able to observe the imagethus formed by means of the ocular lens L2 via the prism P1 and themirror M2.

The lens holding members 29 and 30 are supported slidably in thelongitudinal direction (in the direction of the optical axis of each ofthe finder zoom lenses 27 and 28) relatively to the guide shaft 31. Thefollower pints 29a and 30a of the lens holding members 29 and 30 arerespectively engaged to the cam grooves 33 and 34 of the cam 32.Therefore, the movement of the cam grooves 33 and 34 due to the rotationof the cam 32 moves the lens holding members 29 and 30 along the guideshaft 31. As a result, the distance between the finder zoom lenses 27and 28 is changed and thereby the finder magnification is changed.

FIG. 42 is a perspective view which illustrates the structure of thefinder and that of the converter lens. According to this embodiment, awide converter lens C1 for use in the normal photographing mode and atelephoto-converter lens C2 for use in the trimming photographing modeare prepared. The wide converter lens C1 is composed of a negative lensL3 and a positive lens L4, while the telephoto-converter lens C2 iscomposed of a positive lens L5 and a negative lens L6. Either of theaforesaid wide and telephoto-converter lenses C1 and C2 is disposed inthe optical path of the finder part 11 in front of the finder zoom lens28 so as to be used. In a case where either of the converter lens C1 orC2 is disposed in the optical path of the finder part 11, the otherconverter lens C1 or C2 is retracted from this optical path (to bedescribed later).

Then, the magnification required for the converter lenses C1 and C2 topossess will now be described. Assumptions are made that the minimummagnification of the zoom finder part 11 is Mzw, the maximummagnification of the same is Mzt, the magnification of the wideconverter lens C1 is Mwc and the magnification of thetelephoto-converter lens C2 is MTc. If the wide converter lens C1 isused, the magnification can be changed in a range from Mzw×Mwc toMzt×Mwc. If the telephoto-converter lens C2 is used, the magnificationcan be changed in a range from Mzw×Mtc to Mzt×Mtc. The magnification Mis expressed as follows as shown in FIG. 9:

    M=24/A=36/B

Therefore, by setting the relationship between the magnification of theconverter lens C1 and that of C2 as follows, the visual angle of thefinder is caused to correspond to the change in the field angle in thetrimming photographing operation in which the converter lenses C1 and C2are used:

    M=Mtc/Mwc

Referring back to FIG. 8, reference numeral 67 represents a holder forholding the wide converter lens C1, the holder 67 being arranged to becapable of vertically moving by the guiding action of guide pins 68 and69. The holder 67 is always urged upwards when viewed in FIG. 8 by aspring 70. Reference numeral 71 represents a holder for holding thetelephoto-converter lens c2, the holder 71 being arranged to be capableof horizontally moving by the guiding actions of guide pins 72 and 73.The holder 71 is always urged to the right when viewed in FIG. 8 by aspring 74.

Reference numeral 10 represents a zoom ring also shown in FIG. 41, thezoom ring 10 having, on the front surface thereof, a driving pin 75projecting therefrom. Reference numeral 76 represents a wide converterlens driving lever. The driving lever 76 is arranged to be capable ofrotating around a rotational shaft 77. Each end of the driving lever 76is allowed to extend to the front portion of the zoom ring 10 and thatof the holder 67. A slit 76a is formed in the end portion of the drivinglever 76 adjacent to the holder 67. Furthermore, the holder 67 has aprojecting synchronizing pin 78 to be inserted into the slit 76a.Therefore, in the range in which the driving lever 76 is rotated at thetime of the operation, the aforesaid synchronizing pin 78 and the slit76a (the driving lever 76) are engaged to each other.

Similarly, reference numeral 79 represents a telephoto-converter lensdriving lever. The driving lever 79 is able to rotate around therotational shaft 80. Each end of the driving lever 79 is allowed toextend to the front portion of the zoom ring 10 and the holder 71. Aslit 79a is formed in the end portion of the driving lever 79 adjacentto the holder 71. Furthermore, the holder 71 has a projectingsynchronizing pin 81 to be inserted into the slit 79a. Therefore, in therange in which the driving lever 79 is rotated at the time of theoperation, the aforesaid synchronizing pin 81 and the slit 79a (thedriving lever 79) are engaged to each other.

According to this embodiment, the range designated by region A shown inFIG. 8 corresponds to the zooming region in which the focal length ofthe zoom optical system is changed from the wide end to the telephotoend. Referring to FIG. 8, when the zoom ring 10 is rotatedcounterclockwise, the focal length of the zoom optical system is changedto the long focus side (the telephoto side), while it is changed to theshort focus side (the wide side) when the zoom ring 10 is rotatedclockwise. Furthermore, when the zoom ring 10 is further rotated fromthe telephoto end toward the long focus side until it arrives at a rangedesignated by a region C shown in FIG. 8, the driving pin 75 of the zoomring 10 is engaged to the driving lever 76. On the other hand, if thezoom ring 10 is further rotated from the wide end toward the short focusside until it arrives at the range designated by a region E shown inFIG. 8, the driving pin 75 of the zoom ring 10 is engaged to the drivinglever 79. The range designated by the region C is assumed to be the wideconverter lens driving region, while the range designated by the regionE is assumed to be the telephoto-converter lens driving region.Referring to FIG. 8, ranges designated by regions B and D are reservedangles.

Referring to FIG. 40, reference numeral 82 represents a control circuitincluding a microcomputer for controlling the overall operation of thecamera and its peripheral circuits, the control circuit having a memory,a discriminating circuit, a calculating circuit, a timer and the like.Reference numeral 12 represents a photographing zoom lens motor drivingcircuit for controlling the operation of the zoom lens driving motor 13for moving a zoom lens optical system (omitted from illustration) fromthe wide end to the telephoto end. Reference numeral 50 represents arecording circuit for recording information about the trimmingphotographing operation on a film (omitted from illustration) by meansof a recording device 51.

SW1 and SW2 respectively are a half-depression switch and afull-depression switch which are operated in synchronization with arelease button of the body of the camera. The switch SW1 is switched onwhen the release button is depressed to its first stroke, while theswitch SW2 is switched on when the release button is depressed to itssecond stroke. SW3 is a zoom up switch for moving the zoom lens so as tozoom up it and SW4 is a zoom down switch for moving the zoom lens tozoom down it. SW5 is a mode switch for switching and setting the mode,the mode being switched between the normal photographing mode forperforming the normal photographing operation and the trimmingphotographing operation for performing the trimming photographingoperation.

In the structure according to this embodiment, the holders 67, 71, thesprings 70 and 74, the driving pin 75, the driving levers 76 and 79 andthe synchronizing pins 78 and 81 constitute an insertion device and aretracting device.

Then, the operation of this embodiment will now be described.

(1) Normal Photography Mode

In the normal photographing mode, the converter lenses C1 and C2 are ina state shown in FIGS. 42 and 43 in which the wide converter lens C1 hasbeen inserted into the optical path of the finder 11 and thetelephoto-converter lens C2 has been retracted from the optical path ofthe finder 11. That is, the finder magnification for the normalphotographing operation has been set. In this state, although the holder71 of the telephoto-converter lens C2 is being urged in the rightdirection by the spring 74, the projection 71a of the holder 71 ispositioned in contact with the holder 67 of the wide converter lens C1and therefore the illustrated state is maintained. Although also theholder 67 is being urged upwards by the spring 70, the projection 67a ofthe holder 76 is positioned in contact with the stopper 83 and thereforethe illustrated state is maintained.

When the zoom up (or down) switch SW3 (or SW4) is operated in thisstate, the control circuit 82 rotates forwards (reversely) the zoom lensdriving motor 13 via the photographing zoom lens driving circuit 12. Asa result, the zoom ring 10 is rotated in a predetermined direction,causing the photographing lens to be zoomed up (or zoomed down). At thistime, the cam 32 is rotated by means of the gears G2 to G7 and the crowngear 37 when the zoom ring 10 is rotated. Therefore, the finder zoomlenses 27 and 28 are moved in the direction of the optical axis becausethe cam grooves 33 and 34 are moved. As a result, the finder 11 iszoomed.

Specifically, the finder zoom lens 28 is placed at the front endposition (adjacent to the subject) at the wide end when viewed in FIG.4. The finder zoom lens 28 is then gradually moved rearwards as themovement toward the long focus side as designated by an arrow U shown inFIG. 42. Then, it is moved forwards until it arrives at the telephotoend which is the same position as as the wide end. On the other hand,the finder zoom lens 27 is placed at the rearmost (adjacent to the film)at the wide end. Then, it is gradually moved forwards as it moves towardthe long focus side as designated by an arrow V shown in FIG. 42. As aresult, it is positioned at the front end position at the telephoto end.As a result, the distance between the finder zoom lenses 27 and 28 islongest at the wide end, while the same is narrowest at the telephotoend. Therefore, the finder magnification is changed to a valuecorresponding to the focal length (the photographing magnification) ofthe photographing zoom optical system. Since the driving pin 75 of thezoom ring 10 is not engaged to any of the driving levers 76 and 79, theinsertion and the retraction of the converter lenses Cl and C2 are notperformed.

(2) Trimming Photography Mode

When the trimming photographing mode is instructed by operating the modeswitch SW5, the control circuit 82 rotates the zoom lens driving motor13 via the photographing zoom lens driving circuit 12. As a result, thezoom ring 10 is rotated counterclockwise, that is, in a direction towardthe telephoto side (in a direction designated by an arrow F shown inFIG. 8) by means of the gear G1.

When the zoom ring 10 is further rotated toward the long focus sideuntil it is rotated to a region C shown in FIG. 8, the driving pin 75 ofthe zoom ring 10 is engaged to the driving lever 76. When the zoom ring10 is further rotated toward the long focus side in this state, thedriving lever 76 is rotated clockwise when viewed in FIG. 8. Since thedriving lever 76 (its slit 76a) is engaged to the synchronizing pin 78,the holder 67 is moved downwards (in a direction designated by an arrowW shown in FIG. 42) against the urging force of the spring 70. In astate in which the wide converter lens C1 has been completely retractedfrom the optical path of the finder 11, the contact between theprojection 71a of the holder 71 and the holder 67 is released.Therefore, the holder 71 is moved to the right (in a directiondesignated by an arrow X shown in FIG. 42) by the urging force of thespring 74. Then, the projection 71a of the holder 71 comes in contactwith the stopper 84 and the holder 71 is therefore maintained at thisposition.

As a result, in the trimming photographing mode, the converter lenses C1and C2 are brought to a state as shown in FIGS. 8 and 44 in which thetelephoto-converter lens C2 is inserted into the optical path of thefinder 11 and the wide converter lens C1 is retracted from the opticalpath of the finder. As a result, the finder magnification for thetrimming photographing operation is set. Although the holder 67 of thewide converter lens C1 is urged upwards by the spring 70 in this state,the projection 67a of the holder 67 is positioned in contact with theholder 71 of the telephoto-converter lens C2 and thereby the illustratedstate is maintained.

When the zoom up switch SW3 (or the zoom down switch SW4) is operated inthis state, zooming of the photographing zoom optical system and that ofthe zoom finder 11 are performed similarly to the descriptions madeabove in a state in which the telephoto-converter lens C2 has beeninserted. Therefore, the magnification of the finder is made to be avalue which corresponds to the trimming photographing mode and the focallength of the photographing lens similarly to the above madedescription.

When the normal photographing mode is instructed in this state byoperating the mode switch SW5, the control circuit 82 rotates the zoomlens driving motor 13 in a predetermined direction by means of thephotographing zoom lens driving circuit 12. As a result, the zoom ring10 is, via the gear G1, rotated clockwise, that is, in a directiontoward the wide side.

When the zoom ring 10 is further rotated from the wide end toward theshort focus side until it arrives at the region E shown in FIG. 8, thedriving pin 75 of the zoom ring 10 is engaged to the driving lever 23.When the zoom ring 2 is further rotated toward the short focus side inthis state, the driving lever 23 is rotated counterclockwise when viewedin FIG. 1. Since its driving lever 79 (its slit 79a) is engaged to thesynchronizing pin 81, the holder 71 is moved to the left (in a directiondesignated by an arrow Y shown in FIG. 44) against the urging force ofthe spring 74. In a state in which the telephoto-converter lens C2 hasbeen completely retracted from the optical path of the finder 11, thecontact between the projection 67a of the holder 67 and the holder 71 isreleased. Therefore, the holder 67 is moved upwards (in a directiondesignated by an arrow Z shown in FIG. 44) by the urging force of thespring 70. Then, the projection 67a of the holder 67 comes in contactwith the stopper 83 and thereby the holder 67 is maintained at thisposition.

As described above, the converter lenses C1 and C2 are returned to thestate shown in FIGS. 42 and 43 in which the wide converter lens C1 isinserted into the optical path of the finder 11 and thetelephoto-converter lens C2 is retracted from the optical path of thefinder 11. As a result, the magnification of the finder for the normalphotographing operation is set.

The aforesaid operation will be described with reference to FIG. 45. Theaxis of abscissa of FIG. 45 stands for the focal length f of thephotographing zoom lens, while the axis of ordinate stands for acomposite focal length obtained by converting the angle of fieldobtained from the relationship between the focal length f of the zoomlens and the trimming magnification M into the focal length. Theaforesaid composite focal length can be expressed by f×M.

The photographing zoom lens according to this embodiment is arranged tobe zoomed in its focal length range from 35 mm to 70 mm. Therefore, inthe normal photographing mode in which trimming is not performed, thetrimming magnification M is 1 (time). Therefore, the composite focallength is ranged from 35 mm to 70 mm. According to this embodiment, thetrimming magnification M is set to 2 (times). Therefore, the compositefocal length in the trimming photographing mode is ranged from 70 mm to140 mm.

In the normal photographing mode, the photographing zoom lens can bezoomed between the wind end a and a telephoto end b. In this state, thewide converter lens C1 has been inserted into the optical path of thefinder 11. The region from the point a to the point b corresponds to theregion A shown in FIG. 8.

When the trimming photographing mode is instructed in this state, thezoom ring 10 is further rotated from the telephoto end b toward the longfocus side. Then, the wide converter lens C1 and the telephoto-converterlens C2 are interchanged with each other in a state where the focallength of the zoom lens has arrived at point c which exceeds thetelephoto end b. Simultaneously, the trimming photographing mode is setand the composite focal length is shifted from the position of the pointc to the point d. Then, the photographing zoom lens can be zoomed fromthe wide end f for the trimming photographing operation and thetelephoto end e. The region from the point b to the point c and theregion from the point d to the point e correspond to the region B shownin FIG. 1, the region from the point c to the point d corresponds to theregion C and the region from the point e to the point f corresponds tothe region A.

When the normal photographing mode is instructed in this state, the zoomring 10 is further rotated from the wide end f toward the short focusside. In a state where the focal length of the zoom lens has arrived atpoint g which exceeds the wide end 5, the telephoto-converter lens C2and the wide converter lens C1 are interchanged with each other.Simultaneously, the normal photographing mode is set and the compositefocal length is shifted from the position of the point g to the point h.The photographing zoom lens can be then zoomed from the wide end a forthe normal photographing operation to the telephoto b. The region fromthe point f to the point g and the region from the point h to the pointa correspond to the region D shown in FIG. 8 and the region from thepoint g to the point h corresponds to the region E.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, the wide converter lens C1 andthe telephoto-converter lens C2 can be interchanged with each other insynchronization with the rotation of the zoom ring 10. Therefore, thezoom lens can be driven and the converter lenses C1 and C2 can beinterchanged with each other by a single power source. As a result, thecost can be reduced and the size of the finder device can be reduced. Inaddition, the interchange of the converter lenses C1 and C2 can beperformed by the rotation of the zoom ring 10 and this interchange canbe performed in synchronization with the zooming operation. Therefore, anecessity of performing a special operation can be eliminated.Furthermore, the interchange of the converter lenses C1 and C2 isperformed outside the zooming region of the zoom lens. Therefore, theinterchange of the converter lenses C1 and C2 can be performed whileeliminating the affection made on the zooming region.

The camera capable of trimming photographing according to the presentinvention is not limited to the aforesaid embodiments and variousmodifications can be performed. For example, although the aforesaidembodiment is arranged in such a manner that the two types of theconverter lenses, that is, the wide converter lens C1 and thetelephoto-converter lens C2 are prepared and the normal photographingmode and the trimming photographing mode are realized by interchangingthe aforesaid converter lenses C1 and C2, another structure may beemployed in which one kind of the converter lens is used and thisconverter lens is inserted in either of the normal photographing modeand the trimming photographing mode.

As described above, according to the seventh embodiment of the presentinvention, the converter lens can be inserted/retracted insynchronization with the rotation of the zoom ring. Therefore, the zoomlens can be driven and the converter lens can be inserted/retracted by asingle power source. As a result, the cost can be reduced and the sizeof the finder device can be reduced. In addition, the insertion and theretraction of the converter lenses can be performed by the rotation ofthe zoom ring and this insertion and the retraction can be performed insynchronization with the zooming operation. Therefore, a necessity ofperforming a special operation can be eliminated. Furthermore, theinsertion and the retraction of the converter lenses are performedoutside the normal photography region of the zoom lens. Therefore, theinsertion and the retraction of the converter lenses can be performedwhile eliminating an affection made on the normal photography region.

Although the invention has been described in its preferred form with acertain degree of particularly, it is understood that the presentdisclosure of the preferred form has been changed in the details ofconstruction and the combination and arrangement of parts may beresorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of theinvention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A camera capable of trimming photographingcomprising:an electric-powered photographing zoom lens; operating meansfor zooming said electric-powered zoom lens; trimming photographingmeans for obtaining a pseudo zoomed-up photography by partially trimminga photographed picture at a trimming magnification β which can bepreviously set; and control means for setting the trimming magnificationβ of said trimming photographing means to a maximum trimmingmagnification βmax if said operating means is moved to the zoom-up sidewhen said electric-powered zoom lens is at the position of a maximumfocal length FT, zooming down said electric-powered zoom lens whilemaintaining the maximum trimming magnification βmax if said operatingmeans is thereafter operated to the zoom-down side, and changing thetrimming magnification β of said trimming photographing means from themaximum trimming magnification βmax to 1 if said operating means isfurther operated to the zoom-down side when said electric-powered zoomlens is at the position of a minimum focal length FW.